,1  x\xt  moksm  s 


PRINCETON,    N.    J. 


Division !™. ~f~  -^ 

Section  . .  ^  ^  '.^ . Crft-, t^.  :«M^ 


^<'^. Number. 


CATECHISM   FOR  CHILDREN, 


KXHIBITING  THB 


promijs^ent    doctrines 


OP  THE 


mcfl  IF  JESISraST  OF  im-DAY  SAim 


By   elder   JOHN   JAQUES. 


"  Inasmuch  as  parents  have  children  in  Zion,  or  in  any  of  her 
atalces  whieh  are  organized,  tliat  teach  them  not  to  understand  the 
doctrine  oi  repentance,  faith  in  Christ  tlie  Sou  of  the  living  God,  and 
of  baptism,  and  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  by  the  laying  on  of  the 
hands,  when  eiglit  years  old,  the  sin  be  upon  the  heads  of  theparenU*; 
for  this  shall  be  a  law  unto  the  inhabitants  of  Zion,  or  hi  any  of  her 
stakes  which  are  organized.  #  *  *  «  And  they  shall  also  teach 
their  children  to  pray  and  to  walk  uprightly  be/ore  the  Lord."  Doc- 
trine and  Covenants  xxii.  4;  new  edition,  Ixviii.  25,  2G,  28. 


TWKisrxY-E^iinTH:    THOTis^isrr). 


SALT    LAKE    CITY: 

KOU  SAIiE  AT  THK  LAITKK-UAY   SAINTS'    PllINTING    AND    PUBLISUIN<i 

ESTABLISHMENT. 

PUBLISHKD  BY  DAVID  O.    CALDElt. 
1877. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PASS 

NAME — BIRTH — BLESSING —  BAPTISM  —  CONFIRMATION — DUTY 

TO  GOD,   PARENTS,  AND   MANKIND  -  -  -  5 

CHAPTER  II. 

ON  THE  KNOWLEDGE  OP  A  GOD  -  -  -  -  7 

CHAPTER  III. 

REVELATIONS  OF  GOD  TO  MAN  -  -  -  -  8 

CHAPTER  rV. 

PLURALITY  OP  GODS  -  •  -  -  -        12 

CHAPTER  V. 

PERSON,  CHARACTER,  AND  ATTRIBUTES  OP  GOD  -  -  14 

CHAPTER  VI. 

RELATION  OF  MEN  TO  GOD — PRE-EXISTENCE  OF  SPIRITS  — 
EDUCATION,  DEVELOPMENT,  AND  PERFECTION  OF  INTEL- 
LIGENT BEINGS  -  -  -  -  -  17 


IV. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

COUNCIL,  IN   HEAVEN — REBELLION    OF    LUCIFER — CREATION 

OR  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE   EARTH  •  -  20 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE   FALL  -  -  -  -  -  -  25 

CHAPTER  IX. 

REDEMPTION  FROM   THE  FALL  -  -  -  29 

CHAPTER  X. 

FAITH — REPENTANCE  -  -  -  -  32 

CHAPTER  XI. 

BAPTISM  -----  -  34 

CHAPTER  XII. 

THE   HOLY   SPIRIT  -  -  -  -  -  38 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE   SACRAMENT  OF  THE  LORD's   SUPPER  -  -  42 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE   CHURCH   OF  CHRIST  -  -  -  -  46 

CHAPTER    XV. 

THE  TEN  COMMANDMENTS  -  -  -  -  49 


54 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

WORD  OF  WISDOM  _  -  -  -  - 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

PRIESTHOOD — ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CHURCH  -  57 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

1)IS1>ENSATI0N  OF  THE  FULLNESS  OF  TIMES  -  -  68 


CATECHISM  FOR  CHILDREN. 


CHAPTER  I. 

NAME — BIRTH — BLESSING — BAPTISM — CONFIRMATION — 
DUTY   TO   GOD,    PARENTS,   AND   MANKIND. 

[Questi07is  and  Answers  Nos.  2,  5,  6,  7,  9,  10,  11,  12,  13,  will  he 
used  according  to  circumstances.] 

1.  Q.     What  is  your  name? 
A.     . 

2.  Q.     Who  gave  you  that  name  ? 

A.     My  father   and   mother,  and   it  was  confirmed 
upon  me  when  I  was  blessed  by  the  Elders  of  the  Church. 

3.  Q.     On  what  day,  and  in  what  month  and  year  were 
you  born  ? 

A.     On  the day  of ,  in  the  year  of  our 

Lord . 

4.  Q.     In  what  town,    county,  and  country   were  you 
born? 

A.     In    the    town    of ,  in    the   county   of 

,  in . 

5.  Q.     On  what  day,  and  in  what  month  and  year,  were 
you  blessed  ? 

A.     On  the  —^ —  day  of  ,  in  the  year  of  our 

Lord  . 

6.  Q.     In  what  Branch  and  Conference  of  the  Church 
were  you  blessed  ? 

A.     In  the Branch  of  the Con- 
ference. 

7.  Q.     Who  pronounced  the  blessing  upon  you  ? 

8.  Q.     Have  you  been  baptized  ? 


6 

9.  Q.     When  were  you  baptized  ? 

A.     On  the day  of ,  in  the  year  of  our 

our  Lord . 

10.  Q.     Who  baptized  you  ? 
A.     Elder  [or  Priest] 


11.  Q.  In  what  Branch  and  Conference  of  the  Church 
Yv'ere  you  baptized  ? 

A.     In  the Branch  of  the Con- 
ference. 

12.  Q.  When  were  you  confirmed  a  member  of  the 
Church,  by  the  laying  on  of  hands  for  the  Gift  of  the 
Holy  Ghost? 

A.     On  the  day  of ,  in  the  year  of 

our  Lord  — ■. . 

13.  Q.     Who  confirmed  you? 
A.     Elder . 

14.  Q.     What  duties  should  you  perform  ? 

A.     My  duty  to  God,  and  my  duty  to  my  parents, 
and  to  all  mankind. 

15.  Q.     What  is  your  duty  to  God? 

A,     To  love  him  with  all   my  heart,  and  to  keep 
his  commandments. 

16.  Q.  Why  should  you  love  God,  and  keep  his  com- 
mandments ? 

A.     Because  it  is  by  his  power  and  goodness  that  I 
exist,  and  am  sustained  day  by  day. 

17.  Q.     What  is  your  duty  towards  your  parents  ? 
A.     To  love  and  obey  them. 

18.  Q.     Why  should  you  love  and  obey  your  parents  ? 
A^    Because  it  is  a  command  of  God,  and  because 

they  were  the  means  of  bringing  me  into  the  world  ;  they 
nursed  and  fed  me  when  I  was  a  little  babe,  and  now  con- 
tinually love  me,  and  provide  food,  clothing  and  lodging 
for  me.  They  watch  over  me  in  sickness,  direct  me  in 
health,  and  teach  me  to  be  clean,  neat,  industrious,  and 
orderly,  so  that  when  I  have  grown  up  I  may  be  useful. 

19.  Q.     What  is  the  reward  of  obedience  to  parents  ? 
A.     A  long  life,  with  the  constant  favor  and  bless- 
ing of  God,  and  eternal  life  and  happiness  in  the  world  to 
come. 

20.  Q.  What  is  the  punishment  of  disobedience  to 
parents  ? 

A.     A  short  life  with  the  constant  displeasure  and 
curse  of  God,  and  mifeeiy  n  the  world  to  come. 


21.  Q.     What  is  your  duty  to  all  mankind? 

A.     To  love  them,  and  to  treat  them  with  kindness. 

22.  Q.     Why  should  you  love  all  mankind,  and  treat 
them  with  kindness  ? 

A.  Because  God  commands  it,  and  because  all 
mankind  desire  to  be  happy,  and,  unless  they  love  and 
strive  to  be  kind  to  each  other,  they  cannot  be  happy. 
Therefore  all  persons  should  love  each  other,  that  they 
may  live  as  happily  as  possible. 


CHAPTER  II. 

ON   THE    KNOWLEDGE    OF   A    GOD. 

1.  Q.     How  do  you  and  mankind  in  general  learn  that 
there  is  a  God  ? 

A.  In  three  ways.  First — by  tradition ;  second — 
by  reason  ;  third — by  revelation. 

2.  Q.     How  do  mankind  learn  by  tradition  that  there 
is  a  God  ? 

A.  Parents  tell  their  children  that  there  is  a  God, 
the  children  in  turn  tell  their  children,  and  so  on  from  pa- 
rents to  children  it  is  handed  down  for  hundreds  and  thou- 
sands of  years.  In  this  way  mankind  learn  by  tradition 
that  there  is  a  God. 

3.  Q.     How  do  mankind  learn  by  reason  that  there  is  a 
God? 

A.  They  look  around  them,  and  see  the  sun  shining 
by  day  and  not  by  night ;  they  see  and  feel  the  long  days 
and  hot  weather  of  summer,  and  the  short  days  and  cold 
weather  of  winter,  come  regularly  round ;  they  see  the 
rains  descend,  and  the  fruits  and  verdure  of  the  earth  ap- 
pear in  their  seasons ;  and  as  these  things  cannot  be  stopped, 
nor  the  times  when  they  come  be  altered,  by  men,  they 
conclude  that  there  must  be  a  Being  much  superior  to 
man,  who  governs  and  directs  all  things.  In  this  way, 
men  learn  by  reason  that  there  is  a  God. 

4.  Q.     How  do  men  learn  by  revelation  that  there  is  a 
God. 

A.     God  reveals  himself  to  men  ;  or  he  sends  to  them 


8 

angels,  who  have  greater  power,  knowledge,  and  glory  than 
men ;  or  he  speaks  to  them  by  his  own  voice  from  the 
heavens ;  or  he  gives  them  dreams  and  visions.  In  this 
way  do  men  learn  by  revelation  that  there  is  a  God. 

5.    Q.     Which  is  the  best  way  of  learning  that  there  is 
a  God? 

A.  By  revelation.  Tradition  and  reason  give  indis- 
tinct and  unsatisfactory  ideas  of  God,  and  of  his  character 
and  attributes.  By  revelation  alone  can  a  definite  and 
satisfactory  knowledge  be  obtained. 


CHAPTER  III. 

REVELATIONS   OF   GOD   TO   MAN. 

1.  Q.     Has  God  given  many  revelations  to  men  ? 
A.     Yes,  a  great  number. 

2.  Q.     Where  have  we  any  account  of  his  doing  so? 

A.  In  the  Bible,  the  Book  of  Mormon,  the  Book  of 
Doctrine  and  Covenants,  and  other  publications  of  the 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints. 

3.  Q.  Name  one  of  these  revelations  recorded  in  the 
Old  Testament  ? 

A.  The  Lord  revealed  himself  to  Abraham,  and 
talked  with  him  as  one  man  talks  with  another.  Gen. 
xviii.  1-5. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"And  the  Lord  appeared  unto  him  in  the  plains  of  Mamre  ; 
and  he  sat  in  the  tent  door  in  the  heat  of  the  day.  And  he  lifted 
up  his  eyes  and  looked,  and,  lo,  three  men  stood  by  him  ;  and 
when  he  saw  them,  he  ran  to  meet  them  from  the  tent  door,  and 
bowed  himself  toward  the  ground,  and  said,  My  Lord,  if  now  I 
have  found  favor  in  thy  sight,  pass  not  away,  I  pray  thee,  from 
thy  servant ;  Let  a  little  water,  I  pray  you,  be  fetched,  and  wash 
your  feet,  and  rest  yourselves  under  the  tree,  and  I  will  fetch  a 
morsel  of  bread,  and  comfort  ye  your  hearts ;  after  that  ye  shall 
pass  on  ;  for  therefore  are  ye  come  to  your  servant.  And  they 
said,  So  do,  as  thou  hast  said." 

4.  Q.  Is  it  recorded  in  the  Old  Testament  that  the  Lord 
revealed  himself  to  several  persons  at  the  same  time  ? 

A.  Yes.     God  revealed  himself  to  Moses  and  many 
Elders  of  Israel.     Ex.  xxiv.  9,  10. 


Repeat  the  passage. 

"  Then  went  up  Moses  and  Aaron,  Nadab  and  Abihuand  seven- 
ty of  the  Elders  of  Israel:  And  they  saw  the  God  of  Israel." 

5.  Q.  Can  you  recollect  any  other  revelation  recorded 
in  the -Old  Testament? 

A.  Yes.  The  Lord  revealed  himself  to  Isaiah.  Is. 
vi.  1,  5. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  In  the  year  that  King  Uzziah  died,  I  saw  also  the  Lord  sit- 
ting upon  a  throne,  high  and  lifted  up,  and  his  train  filled  the 
temple.  *  *  Then  said  I,  Woe  is  me  !  for  I  am  undone  ;  because 
I  am  a  man  of  unclean  lips;  and  I  dwell  in  the  midst  of  a  peojDle 
of  unclean  lips,  for  mine  eyes  have  seen  the  King,  the  Lord  of 
Hosts." 

6.  Q.  Is  there  any  record  in  the  New  Testament  of 
God  sending  an  angel  to  any  person  ? 

A.  Yes.  The  Lord  sent  his  angel  to  Zacharias,  the 
father  of  John  the  Baptist.    Luke  i.  5,  11,  12. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"There  was  in  the  days  of  Herod,  the  king  of  Judea,  a  certain 
priest  named  Zacharias.  *  *  And  there  appeared  unto  him  an 
angel  of  the  Lord,  standing  on  the  right  side  of  the  altar  of  in- 
cense. And  when  Zacharias  saw  him,  he  was  troubled,  and  fear 
fell  upon  him." 

7.  Q.  Lid  God  open  the  heavens  to  any  one  mention- 
ed in  the  New  Testament  ? 

A.  Yes.'  God  opened  the  heavens  to  the  martyr 
Stephen.     Acts  vii.  55,  56. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"But  he,  being  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  looked  up  steadfastly 
into  heaven,  and  saw  the  glory  of  God,  and  Jesus  standing  on 
the  right  hand  of  God,  And  said,  Behold,  I  see  the  heavens  open- 
ed, and  the  Son  of  Man  standing  on  the  right  hand  of  God." 

8.  Q.  Was  Stephen  the  only  person  spoken  of  in  the 
New  Testament,  who  had  the  heavens  opened  unto  him? 

A.  No.  Others  had  the  heavens  opened  to  them. 
John  the  Revelator  had  while  he  was  on  the  Isle  of  Pat- 
mos.     Rev.  xx.  11,  12. 

Repeat  the_  passage. 

"And  I  saw  a  great  white  throne,  and  him  that  sat  on  it,  from 
whose  face  the  earth  and  the  heavens  fled  away  ;  and  there  was 
found  no  place  for  them.  And  I  saw  the  dead,  small  and  great, 
stand  before  God." 


10 

9.  Q.     Is  there  any  account  in  the  Book  of  Mormon  of 
God  revealing  himself  to  man. 

A.     Yes.     The  Lord  showed  himself  to  the  brother 
of  Jared.     Book  of  Ether  i.  8. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  And  the  Lord  said  unto  him,  Believest  thou  the  words  which 
I  shall  speak  ?  And  he  answered,  Yea,  Lord,  I  know  that  thou 
speakest  the  truth,  for  thou  art  a  God  of  truth,  and  canst  not  lie. 
And  when  he  had  said  these  words,  behold  the  Lord  shelved 
himself  unto  him,  and  said,  Because  thou  knowest  these  things, 
ye  are  redeemed  from  the  fall :  therefore  ye  are  brought  back 
into  my  presence  ;  therefore  I  show  myself  "unto  you." 

10.  Q.  Did  God  reveal  himself  to  any  person  mention- 
ed in  the  Book  of  Mormon,  besides  the  brother  of  Jared  ? 

A.     Yes.    God  gave  a  revelation  to  Lehi.     1  Nephi 
i.  4,  5. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  returned  to  his  own  house  at 
Jerusalem,  and  he  cast  himself  upon  his  bed,  being  overcome 
with  the  spirit  and  the  things  which  he  had  seen :  and  being 
thus  overcome  with  the  spirit,  he  was  carried  away  in  a  vision, 
even  that  he  saw  the  heavens  open,  and  he  thought  he  saw  God 
sitting  upon  his  throne,  surrounded  with  numberless  concourses 
of  angels  in  the  attitude  of  singing  and  praising  their  God.  And 
it  came  to  pass  that  he  saw  one  descending  out  of  the  midst  of 
heaven,  and  he  beheld  that  his  lustre  was  above  that  of  the  sun 
at  noon-day  ;  and  he  also  saw  twelve  others  following  him,  and 
their  brightness  did  exceed  that  of  the  stars  in  the  firmament ; 
and  they  came  down  and  went  forth  upon  the  face  of  the  earth  ; 
and  the  first  came  and  stood  before  my  father,  and  gave  unto 
him  a  book,  and  bade  him  that  he  should  read.*^' 

11.  Q.  Is  it  recorded  in  the  Book  .of  Mormon  that 
God  gave  any  revelation  to  a  number  of  persons  at  once? 

A.     Yes.     God   revealed   Jesus   Christ  to  a   great 
multitude  of  the  Nephites.     Nephi  v.  3,  4. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

*'  And  it  came  to  pass  as  they  understood,  they  cast  their  eyes 
up  again  towards  heaven,  and  behold  they  saw  a  man  descend- 
ing out  of  heaven,  and  he  was  clothed  in  a  white  robe,  and  he 
came  down  and  stood  in  the  midst  of  them,  and  the  eyes  of  the 
whole  multitude  were  turned  upon  him,  and  they  durst  not  open 
their  mouths,  even  one  to  another,  and  wist  not  what  it  meant, 
for  they  thought  it  was  an  angel  that  had  appeared  unto  them. 
And  it  came  to  pass  that  he  stretched  forth  his  hand  and  spake 
unto  the  people,  saying.  Behold,  I  am  Jesus  Christ,  whom  the 
prophets  testified  shall  come  into  the  world." 


11 

12.  Q.  Is  any  account  given,  in  any  other  publication 
of  the  Latter-day  Saints,  of  God  revealing  himself  to  any 
person  in  our  day? 

A.  Yes.  The  Lord  revealed  himself  and  his  Son 
Jesus  Christ  to  Joseph  Smith.  History  of  Joseph  Smith, 
Times  and  Seasons,  vol.  III.  page  784;  Supplement  to 
Millennial  Star,  vol.  XIV.,  page  2.  Juvenile  Instructor, 
vol.  I.,  page  1. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

*'  I  saw  a  pillar  of  light  exactly  OTer  ray  head,  above  the  bright- 
ness of  the  sun,  which  descended  gradually  until  it  fell  upon 
me.  It  no  sooner  appeared  than  I  found  myself  delivered  from 
the  enemy  which  held  mo  bound.  When  the  light  rested  upon 
me  I  saw  two  personages,  whose  brightness  and  glory  defy  all 
description,  standing  above  me  in  the  air.  One  of  them  spake 
unto  me,  calling  me  by  name,  and  said,  pointing  to  the  other — 
This  is  my  beloved  Son,  hear  him." 

13.  Q.  Can  you  mention  any  other  revelation  given  in 
our  day  ? 

A.     Yes.     The   revelation  of   John  the  Baptist  to 
Joseph  Smith  and   Oliver  Cowdery.      History  of  Joseph 
Smith,  Times  and  Seasons  vol.  III.  page  865  ;  Supplement 
to  Millennial  Star,  vol.  XIV.,.  page  15. 
Repeat'the  passage. 

*'  While  we  were  thus  employed,  praying  and  calling  upon  tho 
Lord,  a  messenger  from  heaven  descended  in  a  cloud  of  light, 
and  having  laid  his  hand  upon  us  he  ordained  us,  saying  unto 
us — '  Uj  on  you,  my  fellow-servants  in  the  name  of  Messiah,  I 
confer  the  Priesthood  of  Aaron,  which  holds  the  keys  of  the 
ministering  of  angels,  and  of  the  Gospel  of  repentance,  and  of 
baptism  by  immersion  for  the  remission  of  sins,  and  this  shall 
never  be  taken  away  from  the  earth,  until  the  sons  of  Levi  do 
offer  again  an  offering  unto  the  Lord  in  righteousness.'    *    *    * 

The  messenger  who  visited  us  on  this  occasion  and  conferred 
this  priesthood  upon  us,  said  that  his  name  was  John,  the  same 
that  is  called  John  the  Baptist  in  the  New  Testament." 

14.  Q.  Are  these  all  the  revelations  given  in  our  day, 
and  recorded  in  the  publications  of  the  Latter-day  Saints  ? 

A.  No.  Numerous  revelations  have  been  given  in 
these  days,  many  of  which  are  published  in  the  Book  of 
Doctrine  and  Covenants :  in  one  it  is  said  that  God  open- 
ed the  heavens  to  Joseph  Smith  and  Sidney  Rigdon.  Doc- 
trine and  Covenants,  xcii.  3  ;  new  edition,  Ixxvi.  19-23. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"The  Lord  touched  the'eyes  of  our  understandings,  and  they 
were  opened,  and  the^glory  of  the  Lord  shone  round  about,  and 


12 

we  beheld  the  glory  of  the  Son  on  the  right  hand  of  the  Father, 
and  received  of  his  fullness  ;  and  saw  the  angels,  and  they  who 
are  sanctified  before  his  throne,  worshipping  God,  and  the 
Ijamb,  who  worship  him  for  ever  and  ever.  And  now,  after 
the  many  testimonies  which  have  been  given  of  him,  this  is  the 
testimony  last  of  all,  which  we  give  of  him,  that  he  lives ;  for 
we  saw  him,  even  on  the  right  hand  of  God,  and  we  heard  the 
voice  bearing  record  that  he  is  the  only  begotten  of  the  Father." 


CHAPTER  ly, 

PLURALITY   OF   GODS. 

1.  Q.     Are  there  more  Gods  than  one? 
A.     Yes,  many.     1  Cor.  viii.  5. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  There  be  that  are  called  gods,  whether  in  heaven  or  on  earth 
(as  there  be  gods  many,  and  lords  many)." 

2.  Q.     Must  we  worship  more  than  one  God  ? 

A.  No.  To  us  there  is  but  one  God,  the  Father  of 
mankind,  and  the  Creator  of  the  earth.  1  Cor.  viii.  6. 
Matt.  iv.  10. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  But  to  us  there  is  but  one  God,  the  Father,  of  whom  are  all 
things." 

"Thou  shalt  worship  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  him  only  shalt 
thou  serve." 

3.  Q.     Is  Jesus  Christ  called  God  ? 

A.  Yes,  frequently.  1  John  i.  14.  1  Tim.  iii.  16. 
Book  of  Mormon,  Mosiah  vii.  5. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"In  the  beginning  was  the  Word,  and  the  Word  was  with 
God,  and  the  Word  was  God.  *  *  *  *  And  the  Word  was 
made  flesh,  and  dwelt  among  us,  (and  we  beheld  his  glory,  the 
glory  as  of  the  only  begotten  of  the  Father,)  full  of  grace  and 
truth." 

"And  without  controversy  great  is  the  mystery  of  godliness  ; 
God  was  manifest  in  the  flesh." 

"I  would  that  ye  should  understand  that  God  himself  shall 
come  down  among  the  children  of  men,  and  shall  redeem  his 
people  ;  and  because  he  dwelleth  in  flesh,  he  shall  be  called  the 
Son  of  God." 


13 

4.  Q.     Is  the  Holy  Ghost  called  God  ? 

A.  It  is  called  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  is  one  with 
God.  1  Cor.  ii.  11.  1  John  v.  7.  Doctrine  and  Cove- 
nants, Lectures  on  Faith,  v.  1,  2. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"The  things  of  God  knoweth  no  man,  but  the  Spirit  of  God." 

"  There  are  three  that  bear  record  in  Heaven,  the  Father,  the 
Word,  and  the  Holy  Ghost :  and  these  three  are  one. 

*'The  Godhead— we  mean  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit. 
*  *  »  These  three  are  one ;  or,  in  other  words,  these  three 
constitute  the  great,  matchless,  governing,  and  supreme  power 
over  all  things  ;  by  whom  all  things  were  created  and  made,  that 
were  created  and  made,  and  these  three  constitute  the  Godhead, 
and  are  one." 

5.  Q.  How  can  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy 
Spirit  be  one  ? 

A.     They  are  one  in  character  and  attributes,  but 
not  in  substance. 

6.  Q.     Can  you  substantiate  this  from  the  Scriptures  ? 
A.     Yes.     Jesus  prayed  that  his  disciples  might  be 

one  with  him,  as  he  was  one  with  God,  which  they  could 
not  be  in  anything  but  their  character  and  attributes. 
John  xvii.  21,  22,  23.     1  Cor.  xii.  12,  13.     Acts  iv.  32. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  That  they  all  may  be  one  ;  as  thou.  Father,  art  in  me,  and  I 
in  thee,  that  they  also  may  be  one  in  us  ;  that  the  world  may  be- 
lieve that  thou  has  sent  me.  And  the  glory  which  thou  gavest 
me  1  have  given  them,  that  they  may  be  one  even  as  we  are  one  : 
I  in  them,  and  thou  in  me,  tliat  tliey  may  be  made  perfect  in 
one." 

"  For  as  the  body  is  one,  and  hath  many  members,  and  all  the 
members  of  that  one  body,  being  many,"  are  one  body  ;  so  also 
is  Christ.  For  by  one  Spirit  are  we  all  "baptized  into  one  body  ; 
whether  we  be  Jews  or  Gentiles,  whether  we  be  bond  or  free ; 
and  have  been  all  made  to  drink  into  one  Spirit." 

"And  the  multitude  of  them  that  believed  were  of  one  heart 
and  of  one  soul." 

7.  Q.     Who  is  the  Lamb  ? 

A.     Jesus  Christ.     John  i.  29. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  The  next  day  John  seeth  Jesus  coming  unto  him,  and  saith, 
Behold  the  Lamb  of  God." 

8.  Q.     Who  is  the  Father  of  Jesus  Christ? 
A,     God.     Matt.  iii.  16,  17. 


14 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  And  Jesus,  when  he  was  baptized,  went  up  straightway  out 
of  the  water.  *  »  And  lo,  a  voice  from  heaven  saying,  This  is 
my  Beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased." 


CHAPTER  V. 

PERSON,    CHARACTER   AND    ATTRIBUTES    OF   GOD. 

1.  Q.     What  kind  of  a  being  is  God? 
A.     He  is  in  the  form  of  a  man. 

2.  Q.     How  do  you  learn  this  ? 

A.  The  Scriptures  declare  that  man  was  made  in 
the  image  of  God.     Gen.  i.  26,  27. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

''  And  God  said,  let  us  make  man  in  our  image,  after  our  like- 
ness. *  *  So  God  created  man  in  his  own  image,  in  the  image 
of  God  created  he  him  ;  male  and  female  created  he  them." 

3.  Q.  Have  you  any  further  proof  of  God's  being  in 
the  form  of  man  ? 

A.  Yes.  Jesus  Christ  was  in  the  form  of  man,  and 
was  at  the  same  time  in  the  image  of  God's  person 
Heb.  i.  3. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"Who,  being  the  brightness  of  his  glory,  and  the  express 
image  of  his  person,  and  upholding  all  things  by  the  word  of 
his  power,  when  he  had  by  himself  purged  our  sins,  sat  down 
on  the  right  hand  of  the  Majesty  on  high." 

4.  Q.     Is  it  not  said  that  God  is  a  Spirit  ? 

A.     Yes,  the  Scriptures  say  so.     John  iv.  24. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"God  is  a  Spirit,  and  they  that  worship  him  must  worship  him 
in  spirit  and  in  truth." 

5.  Q.     How,  then,  can  God  be  like  man  ? 

A.  Man  has  a  spirit,  though  clothed  with  a  body, 
and  God  is  similarly  constituted. 

6.  Q.     Has  God  a  body  then  ? 

A.  Yes,  like  unto  a  man's  body  in  figure.  Gen. 
xxxii.  24,  28,  30.     Ex.  xxiv.  9,  10,  11. 


16 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"And  Jacob  \vas  left  alone;  and  there  ■wrestled  a  man  with 
him  until  the  breaking  of  day.  *  *  And  he  said,  Thy  name  shall 
be  called  no  more  Jacob,  but  Israel ;  for  as  a  prince  hast  thou 
power  with  God  and  with  men,  and  hast  prevailed.  *  -••  And 
Jacob  called  the  name  of  the  place  Peniel,  for  I  have  seen  God 
face  to  face,  and  my  life  is  preserved." 

"Then  went  up  Moses,  and  Aaron,  and  TsTadab,  and  Abihu, 
and  seventy  of  the  Elders  of  Israel ;  xVnd  they  saw  the  God  of 
Israel :  and  there  was  under  his  feet,  as  it  were,  a  paved  work  of 
sapphire  stone,  and  as  it  were  the  body  of  heaven  in  his  clear- 
ness. And  upon  the  nobles  of  the  children  of  Israel  he  laid  not 
his  hand  ;  also  they  saw  God,  and  did  eat  and  drink." 

7.  Q.     Is  the  person  of  God  very  glorious  ? 

A.  Yes,  infinitely  glorious.  Ex.  xxiv.  17.  Hal), 
iii.  3. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"And  the  sight  of  the  glory  of  the  Lord  was  like  devouring 
fire  on  the  top  of  the  mount  in  the  eyes  of  the  children  of 
Israel." 

"God  came  from  Teman,  and  the  Holy  One  from  Mount  Pa- 
ran.  Selah.  His  glory  covered  the  heavens  and  the  earth  was 
full  of  his  praise." 

8.  Q.     Is  God  everywhere  present? 

A.  Yes.  He  is  in  all  parts  of  the  universe.  Jer. 
xxiii.  23,  24.     1  Kings  viii.  27. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  Am  I  a  God  at  hand,  saith  the  Lord,  and  not  a  God  afar  off? 
*    *    Do  not  I  fill  heaven  and  earth  ?  saith  the  Lord." 

"  Behold  the  heaven  and  heaven  of  heavens  cannot  contain 
thee." 

9.  Q.  If  God  is  a  person,  how  can  he  be  everywhere 
present  ? 

A.  His  person  cannot  be  in  more  than  one  place  at 
the  same  time,  but  he  is  everywhere  present  by  his  Holy 
Spirit.     Psalm  cxxxix.  7,  8. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  Whither  shall  I  go  from  thy  Spirit  ?  or  whither  shall  I  flee 
from  thy  presence  ?  If  I  ascend  up  into  heaven,  tliou  art  there  ; 
If  I  make  my  bed  in  hell,  behold  thou  art  there." 

10.  Q.     Does  God  see  all  things  ? 

A.  Yes.  Nothing  can  be  hid  from  his  gaze.  Psalm 
xxxiii.  13,  14.  Jer.  xxiii.  24.  Pearl  of  Great  Price, 
page  5. 


16 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"The  Lord  looketh  froDi  heaven  ;  he  beholdeth  all  the  sons  of 
men.  From  the  place  of  his  habitation  he  looketh  upon  all  the 
inhabitants  of  the  earth." 

"  Can  any  hide  himself  in  secret  places  that  I  shall  not  see 
him  ?  saith  the  Lord." 

"Wherefore  I  can  stretch  forth  my  hands  and  hold  all  the  cre- 
ations which  I  have  made  ;   and  my  eye  can  pierce  them  also." 

11.  Q.  Does  God  know  all  things  pertaining  to  the 
workmanship  of  his  hands. 

A.  Yes.  Nothing  escapes  his  knowledge.  Acts 
XV.  18.  Doctrine  and  Covenants  vii.  10 ;  new  edition, 
Ixxxviii.  41.     Pearl  of  Great  Price,  pages  8,  10. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  Known  untd  God  are  all  his  works,  from  the  beginning  of 
the  world." 
"  He  comprehendeth  all  things." 

"  There  is  no  God  besides  me,  and  all  things  are  present  with 
me,  for  I  know  them  all.  *  *  All  things  are  numbered  unto 
me,  for  they  are  mine  and  I  know  them." 

12.  Q.     Is  God  all-wise. 

A.  Yes.  His  wisdom  is  past  the  comprehension  of 
man.     Rom.  xi.  33.     Col.  ii.  3. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  O  the  depth  of  the  riches  both  of  the  wisdom  and  knowledge 
of  God  !  how  unsearchable  are  his  judgments,  and  his  ways 
past  finding  out." 

"In  whom  are  hid  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  know- 
ledge." 

13.  q.     Is  God  all-powerful? 

A.  Yes.  More  powerful  than  we  can  conceive. 
Dan.  ii.  20.     Is.  xiv.  27. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  Blessed  be  the  name  of  God  forever  and  ever;  for  wisdom 
and  might  are  his." 

"For  the  Lord  of  hosts  hath  purposed,  and  who  shall  disan- 
nul it  ?  and  his  hand  is  stretched  out,  and  who  shall  turn  it 
back?" 

14.  ^.  Is  God  a  being  of  truth,  justice  and  righteous- 
ness? 

A.  Yes,  for  he  cannot  lie  nor  sin.  Rev.  xv.  3. 
Psalm  cxiv.  17. 


17 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  Just  and  true  are  thy  ways,  thou  King  of  Saints." 
"The  Lord  is  righteous  in  all  his  ways,  and  holy  in  all  his 
works." 

15.  Q.     Is  God  a  merciful  being. 

A.  Yes.  He  is  full  of  mercy  and  compassion. 
Psalm  Ixxxix.  14.     Neh.  ix.  17. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  Mercy  and  truth  shall  go  before  thy  face." 

"  But  thou  art  a  God  ready  to  pardon,  gracious  and  merciful." 

16.  Q.     Does  God  vary  in  his  character? 

A.  No.  He  is  an  unchangeable  being.  Malachi 
iii.  6.     James  i.  17. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"For  I  am  the  Lord,  I  change  not." 

"The  Father  of  lights,  with  whom  there  is  no  variableness, 
neither  shadow  of  turning." 

17.  Q.     Repeat  the  substance  of  what  you  have  said 
concerning  the  character  and  attributes  of  God. 

A.  God  is  a  glorious  being,  in  the  form  of  man ;  he 
is  everywhere  present ;  he  sees  and  knows  all  things  ;  he  is 
full  of  wisdom,  power,  truth,  justice,  righteousness  and 
mercy ;  and  he  is  an  unchangeable  being. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

RELATION  OF  MFN  TO  GOD PRE-EXISTENCE    OF   SPIRITS 

EDUCATION,    DEVELOPMENT,   AND    PERFECTION 
OF    INTELLIGENT    BEINGS. 

1.  Q.     What  relation  do  men  sustain  to  God? 

A.     All  men  are  the  children  of  God.     Is.  Ixiv.  8. 
Eph.  iv.  6. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  But  now,  O  Lord,  thou  art  our  Father ;  we  are  the  clay  and 
thou  our  potter  ;  and  we  all  are  the  work  of  thy  hands." 
"One  God  and  Father  of  all,  who  is  above  all,  and  in  you  all." 


18 

2.  Q.     How  can  God  be  the  Father  of  all  men,  when 
every  man  has  a  natural  father  upon  the  earth  ? 

A.  God  is  the  Father  of  the  spirits  of  all  men. 
Heb.  xii.  9.     Eccl.  xii.  7. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  We  have  had  fathers  of  our  flesh  which  corrected  us,  and  we 
gave  them  reverence ;  shall  we  not  much  rather  be  in  subiection 
unto  the  father  of  spirits,  and  live." 

"Then  shall  the  dust  return  to  the  earth  as  it  was :  and  the 
spirit  shall  return  unto  God  who  gave  it." 

3.  Q.  ^  Did  the  spirits  of  all  men  exist,  then,  before  they 
took  bodies  upon  the  earth  ? 

A.  Yes,  they  existed  in  the  spirit  world.  Jer.  i.  4, 
5.    John  vi.  62. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"Then  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  unto  me,  saying,  before  I 
formed  thee  in  the  belly,  I  knew  thee  ;  and  before  thou  camest 
forth  out  of  the  womb,  I  sanctified  thee,  and  I  ordained  thee  a 
prophet  unto  the  nations." 

"What  and  if  ye  shall  see  the  son  of  Man  ascend  up  where  he 
was  before  ?" 

4.  Q.  For  what  purpose  are  the  spirits  of  men  sent  to 
take  bodies  upon  the  earth  ? 

A.  That  they  may  be  educated,  developed,  and  per- 
fected, that  they  may  enjoy  a  fullness  of  knowledge,  power, 
and  glory  forever,  and  thus  increase  the  dominion  and 
glory  of  God. 

5.  Q.  How  many  states  of  existence  do  intelligent 
beings,  who  become  Gods,  experience? 

A.     Three  grand  states. 

6.  Q.     What  is  the  first  state  of  existence  ? 

A.  Intelligences  are  begotten  spirits — sons  and 
daughters  to  God,  in  the  spirit  world,  the  spirits  being  in 
the  form  of  man's  natural  body. 

7.  Q.     What  is  the  second  state  of  existence  ? 

A.  The  spirits  are  sent  to  dwell  upon  some  world, 
and  take  upon  themselves  mortal  bodies,  and  become  more 
fully  acquainted  with  the  nature  of  good  and  evil,  joy  and 
sorrow,  that  their  perception  of  pleasure  and  happiness 
may  be  perfected,  and  they  thereby  be  enabled  to  appreci- 
ate and  enjoy  a  fullness  of  bliss  throughout  eternity. 

8.  Q.     What  is  the  third  state  of  existence  ? 

A,     After   having  laid   down   their  mortal   bodies, 


19 

through  corruption  and  death,  the  spirits  receive  bodies  not 
subject  to  death,  and  those  spirits  who  have  been  faithful 
to  their  Father  in  heaven  during  their  first  and  second  es- 
tates, are  exalted  as  Kings  and  Priests,  and  they  receive 
power,  dominion,  honor,  and  glory,  similar  to  what  God 
possesses,  in  celestial  worlds,  for  ever  and  ever. 

9.  Q.  Have  spirits,  when  in  the  spirit  world,  any  un- 
derstanding of  the  experience  through  which  they  must 
pass  before  their  arrival  at  perfection  ? 

A.     Yes ;  they  have  a  general  idea  of  it.     Pearl  of 
Great  Price,  page  24. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

*'Tlie  Lord  had  shown  unto  me,  Abraham,  the  intelligences 
that  were  organized  before  the  world  was  ;  and  among  all  these 
there  were  many  of  the  noble  and  great  ones  ;  and  God  saw  these 
souls  that  they  were  good,  and  he  stood  in  the  midst  of  them,  and 
he  said,  These  will  I  make  my  rulers ;  for  he  stood  among  those 
that  were  spirits,  and  he  saw  that  they  w^ere  good  ;  and  he  said 
unto  me,  Abraham,  thou  art  one  of  them,  thou  wast  chosen  be- 
fore thou  wast  born.  And  there  stood  one  among  them  thatw^as 
like  unto  God,  and  he  said  unto  those  who  were  with  him.  We 
will  go  down,  for  there  is  space  there  and  we  will  take  of  these 
materials  and  we  will  make  an  earth  whereon  these  may  dwell ; 
and  we  will  prove  them  iierewith,  to  see  if  they  will  do  all  things 
whatsover  the  Loi*d  their  God  shall  command  them  ;  and  they 
w^ho  keep  their  first  estate,  shall  be  added  upon  ;  and  they  who 
keep  not  their  first  estate,  shall  not  have  glory  in  the  same  king- 
dom with  those  who  keep  their  first  estate,  and  they  who  keep 
their  second  estate,  shall  have  glory  added  upon  their  heads  for 
ever  and  ever." 

10.  Q.  Did  the  spirits  who  were  to  take  bodies  on  this 
earth  rejoice  or  grieve  at  the  prospect  before  them? 

A.     They  rejoiced,  and    sang   songs    together,  and 
shouted  aloud  for  joy.     Job  xxxviii,  4,  6,  7. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  Where  wast  thou  when  I  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth  ? 
declare,  if  tLou  hast  understanding.  *  *  *  Or  who  laid  the 
corner-stone  thereof,  w^hen  the  morning  stars  sang  together,  and 
all  the  sons  of  God  shouted  for  joy  ?  " 

11.  Q.  When  we  reflect  upon  these  great  and  glorious 
truths,  ought  we  to  grieve  or  be  glad  that  we  now  live  in 
a  world  where  we  are  liable  to  suffer  hunger  and  thirst, 
misery,  pain,  and  death  ? 

A.     We   ought    to   be   glad,  and    rejoice,  and  our 
mouths  ought  to  be  filled  with  thanksgiving  and  praise  to 


20 

our  Father  in  heaven,  for  the  privilege  which  he  has 
granted  to  us  of  coming  into  this  world  to  know  good  and 
evil,  and,  through  our  faithfulness,  become  Gods,  even  the 
sons  of  God. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

COUNCIL     IN    HEAVEN REBELLION    OF     LUCIFER CREA- 
TION   OR   ORGANIZATION    OF    THE    EARTH. 

1.  Q.  When  the  spirits  pertaining  to  this  earth  were 
begotten,  what  event  took  place  ? 

A.  A  grand  council,  or  series  of  councils,  was  held 
in  heaven,  when  it  was  determined  that  this  earth  should 
be  organized  as  a  dwelling  place  for  the  spirits  while  they 
took  upon  themselves  bodies ;  that  all  the  works  of  organ- 
ization should  be  concluded  in  seven  days,  or  periods  of 
time ;  and  that  on  the  seventh  day  the  works  should  be 
sanctified,  and  the  day  also.  Pearl  of  Great  Price,  pages 
25,  27. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"And  there  stood  one  among  them  that  was  like  unto  God, 
and  he  said  unto  those  who  were  with  him,  We  will  go  down,  for 
there  is  space  there,  and  we  will  take  of  these  materials,  and  we 
will  make  an  earth  whereon  these  may  dwell ;  and  we  will  prove 
them  herewith,  to  see  if  they  will  do  all  things  whatsoever  the 
Lord  their  God  shall  command  them  ;  and  they  who  keep  their 
first  estate,  shall  be  added  upon ;  and  they  who  keep  not  their 
first  estate,  shall  not  have  glory  in  the  same  kingdom  with  those 
who  keep  their  first  estate  ;  and  they  who  keep  their  second  es- 
tate, shall  have  glory  added  upon  their  heads  for  ever  and  ever. 
And  the  Lord  said,  Whom  shall  I  send  ?  And  one  answered 
like  unto  the  Son  of  Man,  Here  am  I,  send  me.  And  another 
answered  and  said.  Here  am  I,  send  me.  And  the  Lord  said,  I 
will  send  the  first.  And  the  second  was  angry,  and  kept  not  his 
first  estate,  and  at  that  day  many  followed  after  him.  And  then 
the  Lord  said,  Let  us  go  down." 

"And  thus  we  will  finish  the  heavens  and  the  earth,  and  all 
the  hosts  of  them.  And  the  Gods  said  among  themselves,  On 
the  seventh  time  we  will  end  our  work  which  we  have  counsel- 
ed ;  and  we  will  rest  on  the  seventh  time  from  all  our  work 
which  we  have  counseled.  And  the  Gods  concluded  upon  the 
seventh  time,  because  that  on  the  seventh  time  they  would  rest 
from  all  their  works  which  they  (the  Gods)  counseled  among 
themselves  to  form,  and  sanctified  it.  And  thus  were  their  de- 
cisions at  the  time  that  they  counseled  among  themselves  to  form 
the  heavens  and  the  earth." 


21 

2.  Q.  Who  was  it  that  was  angry,  aud  kept  not  his 
first  estate,  because  lie  was  not  chosen? 

A.  Lucifer,  son  of  the  morning.  Doctrine  and 
Covenant?^,  xcii.  o ;  new  edition,  Ixxvi.  25,  26,  27. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  And  this  we  saw  also,  and  bear  record,  that  an  angel  of  God, 
who  was  in  authority  in  the  presence  of  God,  who  rebelled 
against  the  only  begotten  Son,  whom  the  Father  loved,  and  who 
was  in  the  bosom  of  the  Father— was  thrust  down  from  the  pre- 
sence of  God  and  the  Son,  and  was  called  Perdition,  for  the 
heavens  wept  over  him — he  was  Lucifer,  a  son  of  the  morning. 
And  we  beheld,  and  lo,  he  is  fallen  !  is  fallen  !  even  a  son  of  the 
morning." 

3.  Q.  What  did  Lucifer  propose  to  do,  if  he  were  sent 
to  the  earth  ? 

A.  He  proposed  to  bring  all  mankind  to  the  enjoy- 
ment of  the  glory  of  God,  whether  they  kept  their  second 
estate  or  not,  provided  God  would  give  him  his  glory. 
Pearl  of  Great  Price,  page  13. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"And  T,  the  Lord  God,  spake  unto  Moses,  saying,  that  Satan, 
whom  thou  hast  commanded  in  the  name  of  mine  Only  Begot- 
ten, is  the  same  which  was  from  the  beginning,  and  he  came 
before  me  saying,  Behold  me,  send  me,  I  will  be  thy  son,  and  I 
will  redeem  all  mankind,  that  one  soul  shall  not 'be  lost,  and 
surely  I  will  do  it ;  wherefore  give  me  thine  honor." 

4.  Q.  What  took  place  when  Lucifer  sul)raitted  his 
proposition  to  the  council  ? 

A.  His  proposition  was  rejected  by  the  council,  upon 
which  Lucifer  became  angry,  and  he,  and  those  who  ad- 
hered to  him,  rebelled,  and  were  thrust  down  from  heaven, 
and  became  the  Devil  and  his  angels.  Pearl  of  Great 
Price,  page  13.  Doctrine  and  Covenants,  x.  10;  new  edi- 
tion, xxix.  36,  37. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"Wherefore,  because  that  Satan  rebelled  against  me,  and 
sought  to  destroy  the  agency  of  man,  which  I,  the  Lord  God, 
had  given  him,  and  also  that  I  should  give  unto  him  mine  own 
power,  by  the  power  of  mine  Only  Begotten,  I  caused  that  he 
should  be  cast  down,  and  he  became  Satan,  yea,  even  the  Devil, 
the  father  of  all  lies." 

"Behold,  the  Devil  w^as  before  Adam,  that  is,  before  Adam 
was  in  th(i  garden,  for  he  rebelled  against  me,  saying.  Give  me 
thine  honor,  whicli  is  my  power ;  and  also  a  third  part  of  the 
hosts  of  heaven  turned  he  away  from  mo  because  of  their  agency  ; 
and  they  were  thrust  down,  and  thus  came  the  Devil  and  his 
angels." 

B 


22 

5.  Q.     What  did  the  council  do  after  the  rebellion  of 
Luciier  and  his  associates  ? 

A.  They  determined  that  the  oroanization  of  the 
earth,  etc.,  should  be  prosecuted  according  to  the  will  of 
God.     Pearl  of  Great  Price,  page  25. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

*'And  then  the  Lord  said,  Let  us  go  down;  and  they  went 
down  at  the  beginning,  and  they  organized  and  formed  (that  is, 
the  Gods)  the  heavens  and  the  earth.  And  the  earth,  after  it  was 
formed,  was  empty  and  desolate,  because  they  had  not  formed 
anything  but  the  earth  ;  and  darl^ness  reigned  upon  the  face  of 
the  deep,  and  the  Spirit  of  the  Gods  was  brooding  upon  the  face 
of  the  waters." 

6.  Q.     Was  the  earth  originally  formed  out  of  nothing  ? 
A.     No.     The  elements  of  which  it  was  organized  al- 
ways existed.     It  is  impossible  for  anything  to  be  formed 
of  nothing.    Pearl  of  Great  Price,  page  25.    Doctrine  and 
Covenants,  Ixxxiii.  5  ;  new  edition,  xciii.  33. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

*'  We  will  go  down,  for  there  is  space  there,  and  we  will  take 
of  these  materials,  and  we  will  make  an  earth  whereon  these 
may  dwell." 

"The  elements  are  eternal. 

7.  Q.  After  the  earth  was  formed,  what  was  done  on 
the  first  day  of  creation  ? 

A.  Light  was  created,  and  divided  from  the  dark- 
ness.    Pearl  of  Great  Price,  page  25. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"And  they  (the  Gods)  said.  Let  there  be  light ;  and  there  was 
light.  *  *  *  And  they  (the  Gods)  comprehended  the  light,  for  it 
was  bright ;  and  they  divided  the  light,  or  caused  it  to  be  divid- 
ed, from  the  darkness  ;  and  the  Gods  called  the  light  day,  and  the 
darkness  they  called  night.  And  it  came  to  pass  that  from  the 
evening  until  morning  they  called  night ;  S,ndfrom  the  morning 
Tmtil  the  evening  tliey  called  day  ;  and  this  w^as  the  first,  or  the 
l)eginning,  of  that  which  they  caUed  day  and  night." 

8.  Q.     What  did  the  Gods  do  on  the  second  day? 

A.  They  created  an  expanse,  and  divided  the  waters. 
Pearl  of  Great  Price,  page  25. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  And  the  Gods  also  said.  Let  there  be  an  expanse  in  the  midst 
of  the  waters,  and  it  shall  divide  the  waters  from  the  waters. 
And  the  Gods  ordered  the  expanse,  so  that  it  divided  the  waters 
Avhich  were  under  the  expanse  from  the  waters  which  were 


23 

above  the  expanse  ;  and  it  was  so  even  as  they  ordered.  And 
the  Gods  called  the  expanse  heaven.  *  *  *•  ThLs  was  the 
second  time  that  they  called  night  and  day." 

9.  Q.     What  did  the  Gods  do  on  the  third  day? 

A.  They  gathered  the  waters  on  the  earth  into  one 
place,  and  prepared  the  earth  to  bring  forth  herbs  and 
fruits.     Pearl  of  Great  Price,  page  25. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"And  the  Gods  ordered,  saying,  Let  the  waters  under  the 
heaven  be  gathered  together  unto  one  place,  and  let  the  earth 
come  up  dry ;  and  it  was  so,  as  they  ordered ;  and  the  Gods  pro- 
nounced the  earth  dry,  and  the  gatiiering  together  of  the  waters, 
pronounced  they  great  waters  ;  and  the  Gods  saw  that  they  were 
obeyed.  And  the  Gods  said,  Let  us  prepare  the  earth,  to  bring 
forth  grass  ;  the  herb  yielding  seed  ;  the  fruit  tree  yielding  fruit, 
after  his  kind,  whose  seed  is  in  itself,  yieldeth  its  own  likeness 
upon  the  earth  ;  and  it  was  so,  even  as"  they  ordered.  And  the 
Gods  organized  the  earth  to  bring  forth  grass  from  its  own  seed, 
and  the  herb  to  bring  forth  herb  from  its  own  seed,  yielding  seed 
after  his  kind,  and  the  earth  to  bring  forth  the  tree  from  its  own 
seed,  yielding  fruit  whose  seed  could  onlj'-  bring  forth  the  same 
in  itself,  after  his  kind  ;  and  the  Gods  saw  that  they  were  obey- 
e(j,    »    *    «-    js^n(j  it  ^vas  the  third  time." 

10.  Q.     What  did  the  Gods  do  on  the  fourth  day  ? 

A.  They  organized  the  lights  in  the  heavens  to 
^hine  by  night  and  by  day.    Pearl  of  Great  Price,  page  26. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"And  the  Gods  organized  the  lights  in  the  expanse  of  the 
heaven,  and  caused  them  to  divide  the  day  from  the  night ;  and 
organized  them  to  be  for  signs  and  for  seasons,  and  for  days  and 
for  years  ;  and  organized  them  to  be  for  lights  in  the  expanse  of 
the  heaven,  to  give  light  upon  the  earth ;  and  it  was  so.  And 
the  Gods  organized  the  two  great  lights,  the  greater  light  to  rule 
the  day,  and  the  lesser  light  to  rule  the  night ;  with  the  lesser  light 
they  set  the  stars  also  ;  and  the  Gods  set  them  in  the  expanse  of 
the  heavens,  to  give  light  upon  the  earth,  and  to  rule  over  the 
day  and  over  the  night,  and  to  cause  to  divide  the  light  from  the 
darkness.  And  the  Gods  watched  those  things  which  they  had 
ordered  until  they  obeyed.   *"   *    *    And  it  was  the  fourth  time." 

11.  q.     What  did  the  Gods  do  on  the  fifth  day? 

A.  They  prepared  the  waters,  etc.,  that  iish,  fowl, 
and  moving  creatures  might  be  brought  forth.  Pearl  of 
Great  Price,  page  26. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  And  the  Gods  said.  Let  us  prepare  the  waters  to  bring  forth 
abundantly  the  moving  creatures  that  have  life  ;  and  the  fowl, 
that  they  may  fly  above  the  earth  in  the  open  expanse  of  heaven. 


24 

And  the  Gods  prepared  the  waters  that  they  might  bring  forth 
great  whales,  and  every  living  creature  that  moveth,  which  the 
waters  were  to  bring  forth  abundantly  after  their  kind  ;  and 
every  winged  fowl  after  then-  kind.  And  the  Gods  saw  that  they 
would  be  obeyed,  and  that  their  plan  was  good.  *  '••  *  And 
it  was  the  fifth  time." 

12.  Q.     What  did  the  Gods  do  on  the  sixth  day  ? 

A.  They  prepared  the  earth  to  bring  forth  the  cat- 
tle, the  creeping  things,  and  the  beasts  of  the  earth.  Pearl 
of  Great  Price,  page  26. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"And  the  Gods  prepared  the  earth  to  bring  forth  the  living- 
creature  after  his  kind,  cattle  and  creeping  things,  and  beasts  of 
the  earth  after  their  kind  ;  and  it  was  so  as  they  had  said.  And 
the  Gods  organized  the  earth  to  bring  forth  the  beasts  after  their 
kind,  and  cattle  after  their  kind,  and  everything  that  creepeth 
upon  the  earth  after  their  kind  ;  and  the  Gods  saw  they  would 
obey.    *    *    ■•••"    And  they  numbered  the  sixth  time." 

13.  Q.     What  did  the  Gods  do  on  the  seventh  day? 

A.  They  planted  the  Garden  of  Eden,  on  the  earth, 
with  herbs  and  trees,  including  the  tree  of  lite,  and  the  tree 
of  knowledge  of  good  and  evil,  and  placed  Adam  and  E^^e 
in  the  garden,  and  also  placed  the  living  creatures  on  the 
earth,  and  finished  and  sanctified  the  work  of  organization. 
Pearl  of  Great  Price,  pages  27,  28. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"And  the  Gods  said  among  themselves,  on  the  seventh  time 
we  will  end  our  work  v.'^hich  Vv^e  have  counseled  ;  and  v/e  will 
rest  on  the  seventh  time  from  all  our  work  which  we  have 
counseled.  And  the  Gods  concluded  upon  the  seventh  time,  be- 
cause that  on  the  seventh  time  they  would  rest  from  all  their 
works  which  they  (the  Gods)  counseled  among  themselves  to 
form,  and  sanctified  it.  -■•  •••  *  And  the  Gods  planted  a  garden, 
eastward  in  Eden,  and  there  they  put  the  man,  whose  spirit  they 
had  put  into  the  body  which  they  had  formed.  And  out  of  the 
ground  made  the  Gods  to  grow  every  tree  that  is  pleasant  to  the 
sight  and  good  for  food  ;  the  tree  of  life,  also,  in  the  midst  of  the 
garden,  and  the  tree  of  knowledge  of  good  and  evil.  *  *  * 
And  the  Gods  said,  Let  us  make  an  help-meet  for  the  man,  for 
it  is  not  good  that  the  man  should  be  alone,  therefore  we  will 
form  an  help-meet  for  him.  *  *  ■■•  And  for  Adaiu  there  was 
found  an  help-meet  for  him." 

14.  Q.     What  dominion  was  given  to  Adam  and  Eve  ? 
A.     They  received  dominion  over  all  things  upon  the 

earth.     Pearl  of  Great  Price,  page  27. 

Repeat  the  passage. 


26 

"  And  the  Gods  said,  We  will  cause  them  'to  'be  'fruitful,  and 
multiply,  and  replenish  the  earth,  and  subdue  it,  and  to  have 
dominion  over  the  tish  of  the  sea,  and  over  the  fowl  of  the  air, 
and  over  every  living  thing  that  moveth  ujion  the  earth." 

15.  Q.     AVhat  commands  were  given  to  Adam  and  Eve  ? 
A.     They  were  commanded  to  be  fruitful   and  to 

multiply  and  replenish  the  earth,  and  also  to  eat  not  of  the 
tree  of  knowledge  of  good  and  evil,  for,  if  they  ate  of  that, 
they  would  be  subject  to  death,  to  which  they  were  not 
subject  when  placed  in  the  garden,  but  they  were  left  free 
to  obey  or  disobey  the  commands  of  the  Gods.  Pearl  of 
Great  Price,  pages  12,  27. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  And  I,  God,  blessed  them,  and  I  God,  said  unto  them.  Be 
fruitful  and  multiply  and  replenish  the  earth,  and  subdue  it." 

"And  the  Gods  commanded  the  man,  saying,  Of  every  tree  of 
the  garden  thou  mayest  freely  eat,  but  of  the  tree  of  knowledge 
of  good  and  evil,  thou  shalt  not  eat  of  it ;  for  in  the  time  that 
thou  eatest  thereof,  thou  shalt  surely  die." 

16.  Q.  Who  gave  names  to  the  living  creatures  on  the 
earth  ? 

A.     Adam.     Pearl  of  Great  Price,  page  28. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"And  whatsoever  Adam  called  every  living  creature,  that 
should  be  the  name  thereof.  And  Adam  gave  names  to  all  cat- 
tle, to  the  fowl  of  the  air,  to  every  beast  of  the  field." 


—  o 


CHAPTER  VIII 

THE    FALL. 

1.   Q.     After  Adam  and  Eve  were  placed  in  the  Garden 
of  Eden,  what  occurred? 

A.  Satan  entered  the  body  of  a  serpent,  and  tempt- 
ed Eve  to  partake  of  the  tree  of  knowledge  of  good  and 
evil,  saying  that  God  desired  her  and  her  husband  not  to 
eat  of  the  tree,  lest  they  should  become  as  Gods.  IJook  of 
Mormon,  2  Nephi  i.  8.     Pearl   of  Great  Price,  page  14. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  Wherefore,  he  said  unto  Eve,  yea,  even  that  old  serpent  who 


26 

is  the  Devil,  who  is  the  Father  of  all  lies ;  wherefore  he  said, 
Partake  of  the  forbidden  fruit,  and  ye  shall  not  die,  but  ye  shall 
be  as  God,  knowing  good  and  evil." 

"  Yea,  hath  God  said  ye  shall  not  eat  of  every  tree  of  the  gar- 
den, (and  he  spake  by  the  mouth  of  the  serpent,)  but  of  the  fruit 
of  the  tree  which  thou  beholdest  in  the  midst  of  the  garden,  God 
hath  said  ye  shall  not  eat  of  it,  neither  shall  ye  taste  it,  lest  ye 
die.  For  God  doth  know  that  in  the  day  ye  eat  thereof,  then 
your  eyes  shall  be  opened,  and  ye  shall  be  as  Gods,  knowing 
good  and  evil. 

2.  Q.     Did  Eve  partake  of  the  fruit? 

A.  Yes,  and  gave  some  to  Adam,  and  he  ate  there- 
of.    Pearl  of  Great  Price,  page  14. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

''And  when  the  woman  saw  that  the  tree  was  good  for  food, 
and  that  it  became  pleasant  to  the  eye  and  a  tree  to  be  desired  to 
make  her  wise,  she  took  of  the  friiit  thereof,  and  did  eat,  and 
gave  also  unto  her  husband  with  her,  and  he  did  eat." 

3.  Q.  What  was  the  immediate  result  of  their  eating 
of  the  tree  ? 

A.  Their  eyes  were  opened,  and  they  were  ashamed 
to  meet  the  Lord,  and  th  y  hid  themselves  from  him. 
Pearl  of  (7reat  Price,  page  14. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

'*  And  the  eyes  of  them  both  were  opened,  and  they  knew  that 
they  had  been  naked.  And  they  heard  the  voice  of  tiie  Lord 
God,  as  they  were  walking  in  the"  garden  in  the  cool  of  the  day ; 
and  Adam  and  his  wife  hid  themselves  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord  God,  among  the  trees  of  the  garden." 

4.  Q.     AVhat  did  the  Lord  do? 

A.  He  called  to  Adam,  and  questioned  him  and  Eve, 
and  they  confessed  their  transgression.  Pearl  of  Great 
Price,  page  14. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"And  the  Lord  God  called  unto  Adam,  and  said  unto  him. 
Where  are  you  going  ?  And  he  said,  I  heard  your  voice  in  the 
garden,  and  I  was  afraid,  because  I  beheld  that  I  was  naked,  and 
i  hid  myself.  And  the  Lord  God  said  unto  Adam,  Who  told 
you  that  you  were  naked  ?  Have  you  eaten  of  the  tree  whereof 
I  told  you  that  you  should  not  e^t,  if  so  you  should  surely  die  ? 
And  the  man  said,  The  woman  whom  you  gave  me,  and  com- 
manded that  she  should  remain  with  me,  gave  me  of  the  fruit  of 
the  tree,  and  I  did  eat.  And  the  Lord  God  said  unto  the  M^oman, 
What  is  this  which  you  have  done  ?  And  the  woman  said,  The 
serpent  beguiled  me  and  I  did  eat." 


27 

5.  Q.     What  did  the  Lord  then  pay  to  Eve  ? 

A.  He  told  her  that  he  would  greatly  multiply  her 
sorrow  and  her  conception,  and  that  her  husband  should 
rule  over  her.     Pearl  of  Great  Price,  page  14. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"And  again,  the  Lord  said  unto  the  woman,  I  will  greatly 
multiply  your  sorrow  and  your  conception.  In  sorrow  vou  shall 
bring  forth  children,  and  your  desire  shall  be  to  your  husband, 
and  he  shall  rule  over  you." 

6.  Q.     What  did  the  Lord  say  to  Adam? 

A.  The  Lord  said  that  the  ground  should  be  cursed 
for  Adam's  sake,  and  that  he  should  eat  of  it  in  sorrow, 
and  by  the  sweat  of  his  face  he  should  eat  bread.  Pearl  of 
Great  Price,  page  14. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"And  the  Lord  God  said  unto  Adam,  Because  you  have 
hearkened  unto  the  voice  of  your  wife,  and  have  eaten  of  the 
fruit  of  the  tree  of  which  I  commanded  you,  saying,  You  shall 
not  eat  of  it ;  cursed  shall  be  the  ground  for  your  sake  :  In  sor- 
row 3^ou  shall  eat  of  it  all  the  days  of  your  life.  Thorns  also  and 
thistles  shall  it  bring  forth  to  you  ;  and  you  shall  eat  the  herb  of 
the  field.    By  the  sweat  of  your  face  shall  you  eat  bread. 

7.  Q.  Was  the  penalty  of  death  inflicted  upon  Adam 
and  Eve? 

^4.     Yes,  spiritually  and  temporally. 

8.  Q.     What  was  the  spiritual  death  ? 

A.  Banishment  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord. 
Doctrine  and  Covenants,  x.  11 ;  new  edition,  xxix.  41. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"Wherefore,  I,  the  Lord  God,  caused  that  he  should  be  cast 
out  from  the  garden  of  Eden,  from  my  presence,  because  of  his 
transgression,  wherein  he  became  spiritually  dead,  which  is  the 
first  death,  even  that  same  death  which  is  the  last  death,  v,-hich 
is  spiritual,  which  shall  be  pronounced  upon  tlie  wicked  when 
I  shall  say — Depart,  ye  cursed." 

9.  Q.     What  was  the  temporal  death  ? 

A.  Dissolution  of  the  body.  Pearl  of  Great  Price, 
page  14. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  You  shall  return  unto  the  ground,  for  you  shall  surelv  die, 
for  out  of  it  you  were  taken  ;  for  dust  vouVere,  and  unto  dust 
j'ou  shall  return." 


28 

10.  Q.  Are  all  mankind  subject  to  this  sentence  of 
death? 

A.  Yes,  none  are  exempt.  Book  of  Mormon,  Alma, 
xix.  11.     Rom.  V.  12. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"The  fall  had  brought  upon  all  mankind  a  spiritual  death  as 
well  as  a  teuiporal." 

"Wherefore,  as  by  one  man  sin  entered  into  the  world,  and 
death  by  sin ;  and  so  death  passed  upon  all  men,  for  that  all 
have  sinned." 

11.  Q.  What  did  the  Lord  do  when  he  had  driven 
Adam  and  Eve  out  of  the  garden  of  Eden? 

A.  The  Lord  placed  an  angel  at  the  garden  of 
Eden,  with  a  flaming  sword,  which  turned  every  way,  to 
keep  the  tree  of  life,  lest  Adam  and  Eve  should  eat  of  it. 
Book  of  Mormon,  Alma  xix.  10. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  And  he  placed  at  the  east  end  of  the  garden  of  Eden,  Cheru- 
buni,  and  a  flaming  sword,  which  turned  evety  way  to  keep  the 
tree  of  life.  Now  we  see  that  the  man  had  become  as  God, 
knowing  good  and  evil ;  and  lest  he  should  put  forth  his  hand 
and  take  also  of  the  tree  of  life  and  eat ;  *  •='  •••  The  Lord  God 
placed  Cherubim  and  the  flaming  SAVord  that  he  should  not  par- 
take of  the  fruit." 

12.  Q.  What  would  have  been  the  consequence  if 
Adam  and  Eve  had  partaken  of  the  tree  of  life  ? 

A.  They  would  have  lived  forever,  subject  to  the 
devil,  in  the  midst  of  the  misery  and  evil  which  their 
transgression  had  brought  into  the  world,  and  the  word  of 
God  would  not  have  been  fulfilled.  Book  of  Mormon, 
Alma  xix.  18. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  For  behold,  if  Adam  had  put  forth  his  hand  immediately* 
and  partook  of  the  tree  of  life,  he  would  have  lived  forever,  ac- 
cording to  the  word  of  God.  •■'"  *  *  Yea,  and  also  the  word  of 
God  would  have  been  void." 

13.  Q.  Was  it  necessary  that  Adam  should  partake  of 
the  forbidden  fruit  ? 

A.  Yes,  unless  he  had  done  so  he  would  not  have 
known  good  and  evil  here,  neither  could  he  have  had  mor- 
tal posterity,  and  he  could  not  have  cleaved  to  Eve,  as  he 
had  promised,  after  her  fall.  Pearl  of  Great  Price,  page  1. 
Book  of  Mormon,  2  Nephi  i.  8. 


29 

Repeat  tlie  passages. 

"Because  that  Adam  fell  we  are." 

''And  now,  behold,  if  Adam  had  not  transgressed,  he  would 
not  have  fallen  ;  but  ho  would  have  remained  in  the  garden  of 
Eden.  And  all  things  which  were  created  must  have  remained 
in  the  same  state  which  they  were  after  they  were  created  ;  and 
they  must  have  remained  forever,  and  had  no  end.  And  they 
would  have  had  no  children ;  wherefore,  they  would  have  re- 
mained in  a  state  of  innocence,  having  no  joy,  for  thev  knew  no 
misery  ;  doing  no  good,  for  they  knew  no  sin.  But  toehold,  all 
things  have  been  done  in  the  wisdom  of  him  who  knoweth  all 
things.  Adam  fell  that  men  might  be  ;  and  men  are,  that  they 
might  have  joy." 

14.  Q.  Did  Adam  and  Eve  lament  or  rejoice  because 
tliey  had  transgressed  the  commandment,  and  become  ac- 
quainted with  the  nature  of  evil  and  good  ? 

A.  They  rejoiced  and  praised  God.  Pearl  of 
Great  Price,  page  15. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

'*  And  in  that  day  Adam  blessed  God,  and  was  filled,  and  be- 
gan to  prophesy  concerning  all  the  families  of  the  earth  ;  Blessed 
be  the  name  of' God  for  my  transgression  ;  for  in  tliis  life  I  shall 
have  joy,  and  again  in  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God.  And  Eve,  his 
^vife,  neard  all  these  things  and  was  glad,  saying,  Were  it  not  for 
our  transgression  we  should  never  have  had  seed,  and  should 
never  have  known  good  and  evil,  and  the  joy  of  our  redemp- 
tion, and  the  eternal  life  which  God  giveth  unto  all  the  obedient. 
And  Adam  and  Eve  blessed  the  name  of  God ;  and  they  made 
all  things  known  unto  their  sons  and  their  daughters." 

15.  Q.  Is  it  proper  for  us  to  consider  the  transgression 
of  Adam  and  Eve  as  a  grievous  calamity,  and  that  all 
mankind  would  have  been  infinitely  more  happy  if  the 
Fall  had  not  occurred? 

A.  No.  But  we  ought  to  consider  the  Fall  of  our 
first  parents  as  one  of  the  great  steps  to  eternal  exaltation 
and  happiness,  and  one  ordered  by  God  in  his  infinite  wis- 
dom, for  we  can  not  know  the  excellency  and  beauty  of 
that  which  is  good,  unless  we  experience  the  wretchedness 
and  deformity  of  that  which  is  evil. 


-o- 


CHAPTER  IX. 

REDEMPTION    FROM    THE    FALL. 

1 .  Q.     Had  Adam  and  Eve  any  power  to  recover  fi-om 
the  eflTects  of  the  Fall  ? 


30 

A.     No,  not  the  least  power  of  themselves. 

2.  Q.  Why  had  they  no  power  of  themselves  to  recover 
from  the  Fall  ? 

A.  Because  the  justice  of  God  required  a  sacrifice 
to  atone  for  the  broken  law,  and  our  first  parents  being 
subject,  through  transgression,  to  the  penalty  of  the  law, 
they  could  not  make  the  sacrifice. 

3.  Q.  How  then  was  a  redemption  from  the  effects  of 
the  Fall  wrought  out  ? 

A.  God  sent  his  only  begotten  Son,  who  knew  no 
sin,  to  die  for  the  sins  of  the  world,  and  thus  satisfy  the 
demands  of  justice.     E-om.  v.  8,  10.     1  Tim.  i.  15. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  But  God  commendeth  his  love  toward  us,  in  that,  wliile  we 
w^ere  yet  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us.  *  *  *  Wlien  we  were 
enemies,  we  were  reconciled  to  God  by  the  death- of  his  Son." 

"  This  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that 
Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners." 

4.  Q.  Can  men  be  redeemed  from  the  Fall  through  the 
mediation  of  any  other  being  than  Jesus  Christ,  or  in  any 
other  way  than  the  one  he  pointed  out  ? 

A.  No,  the  redemption  by  Jesus  Christ  is  the  only 
one.  Acts  iv.  12.  Book  of  Mormon,  1  Nephi  iii.  3.  Mo- 
siah  i.  15. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  Neither  is  there  salvation  in  any  other :  for  there  is  none 
other  name  under  heaven  given  among  men,  whereby  we  must 
be  saved." 

"  Wherefore  all  mankind  were  in  a  lost  and  in  a  fallen  state, 
and  ever  would  be,  save  they  should  rely  on  this  Redeemer." 

*'  There  shall  be  no  other  name  given,  nor  any  other  way  nor 
means  whereby  salvation  can  come  unto  the  cliildren  of  men, 
only  in  and  through  the  nameof  Christ,  the  Lord  Omnipotent." 

5.  Q.  When  an  atonement  was  made,  did  mercy  claim 
redemption  for  men  ? 

A.     Yes,  as  far  as   they  had  suffered  by  the  fall  of 
Adam.     1  Cor.  xv.  22.     Rom.  v.  18. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  For  as  in  Adam  all  die,  even  so  in  Christ  shall  all  be  made 
alive." 

"  Therefore,  as  by  the  offense  of  one  judgment  came  upon  all 
men  to  condemnation  ;  even  so  by  the  rigiiteousness  of  one  the 
free  gift  came  upon  all  men  unto  justification  of  life." 


31 

6.  Q.     Does  not  the  redemption  of  Christ  extend  to  the 
personal  transgression  of  all  mankind? 

A.  Yes,  but  only  upon  conditions  of  obedience. 
Rom.  ii.  6-10.     1  John  i.  7. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"Who  will  render  to  every  man  according  to  his  deeds  :  To 
them  who  by  patient  continuance  in  well-doing  seel<:  for  glory 
and  honor  and  immortality,  eternal  life.  But  unto  them  that  are 
contentious,  and  do  not  obey  the  truth,  but  obey  unrighteous- 
ness, indignation  and  wrath,  tribulation  and  anguish,  upon  every 
soul  of  man  that  doeth  evil,  of  the  Jew  first,  and  also  of  the 
Gentile  ;  But  glory,  honor,  and  peace,  to  every  man  that  work- 
eth  good." 

*'  But  if  we  walk  in  the  light,  as  he  is  in  the  light,  we  have  fel- 
lowship one  with  another,  and  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  his  Son 
cleanseth  us  from  all  sin." 

7.  Q.  Are  all  men  accounted  sinners  in  the  sight  of 
God? 

A.  All  mankind  who  have  arrived  at  the  years  of 
accountability,  have,  in  something  or  other,  transgressed 
the  laws  of  righteousness.     Rom.  iii.  23.    1  John  i.  8. 

Repeat  the  passages.  . 

"For  all  have  smned,  and  come  short  of  the  glory  of  God." 
"  If  we  say  that  we  have  no  sin,  we  deceive  ourselves,  and  the 
truth  is  not  in  us." 

8.  Q.  Are  little  children  considered  sinners  in  the 
sight  of  God  ?  , 

A.  No,  they  are  redeemed  solely  through  the  atone- 
ment of  Christ.  Doctrine  and  Covenants  x.  13;  new  edi- 
tion, xxix.  46,  47.     Book  of  Mormon,  Mosiah  i.  14. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"But,  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  little  children  are  redeem- 
ed from  the  foundation  of  the  world  through  my  Only  Begotten; 
wherefore,  they  cannot  sin,  for  power  is  not  given  unto  Satan  to 
tempt  little  children,  until  they  begin  to  become  accountable 
before  me." 

"The  law  of  Moses  availeth  nothing,  except  it  were  through 
the  atonement  of  his  blood;  and  even  if  it  were  possible  that  lit- 
tle children  could  sin,  they  could  not  be  saved;  but  I  say  unto 
you  they  are  blessed;  for  behold,  as  in  Adam,  or  by  nature,  they 
fall,  even  so  the  blood  of  Christ  atoneth  for  their  sins." 

^-  Q-     What  is  the  plan  of  redemption  generally  called  ? 

A.     The  Gospel,  or  plan  of  salvation. 
10.   Q.     Do   the  conditions    of  the  Gospel,  or  plan  of 
salvation,  ever  change  ? 


32 

A.  No,  tliey  are  unchangeable  as  their  Author,  and 
a  curse  rests  upon  any  one  who  may  attempt  to  pervert  the 
Gospel,  or  preach  any  other  plan  of  salvation.  Gal.  i.  8, 
9.     2  John  9.  10.  11. 

Repeat  the  passages.  — 

"But  though  we,  or  an  angel  from  heaven,  preach  any  other 
gospel  unto  you  than  that  which  we  have  preached  unto  you, 
let  him  be  accursed.  As  we  said  before,  so  say  I  now  again,  if 
any  man  preach  any  other  gospel  unto  you  than  that  ye  have  re- 
ceived, let  him  be  accursed." 

"Whosoever  transgresseth,  and  abideth  not  in  the  doctrine  of 
Christ,  hath  not  God.  *  *  *  *  If  there  come  any  unto  you, 
and  bring  not  this  doctrine,  receive  him  not  into  your  house, 
neither  bid  him  God  speed;  for  he  that  biddeth  him  God  speed 
is  partaker  of  his  evil  deeds." 

11.  Q.  With  what  feelings  ought  we  to  regard  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  when  we  consider  the  love  manifested 
by  him  to  us? 

A.  We  ought  to  feel  towards  him  the  warmest 
gratitude  and  love,  and  be  ready  to  keep  all  his  command- 
ments and  precepts. 


CHAPTER  X. 

FAITH REPENTENCE. 

1.  Q.  What  is  the  first  principle  of  the  Gospel,  or  plan 
of  salvation? 

A.     Faith. 

2.  Q.     In  whom  must  we  have  faith  ? 

A.     In  God,  and  his  only  begotten  Son  Jesus  Christ. 
Book  of  Mormon,  Mosiah  ii.  2,  3.     John  iii.  16. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"Believe  in  God,  believe  that  he  is,  and  that  he  created  all 
things,  both  in  heaven  and  in  earth;  believe  that  he  is  all  wis- 
dom, and  all  power,  both  in  heaven  and  in  earth;  believe  that 
man  doth  not  comprehend  all  the  things  which  the  Lord  can 
comprehend.  And  again:  Believe  that  ye  must  repent  of  your 
sins  and  forsake  them,  and  humble  yourselves  before  God;  and 
ask  in  sincerity  of  heart  that  he  would  forgive  you." 

"  God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son, 
that  whosoeyer  believeth  in  him  should  not  perish,  but  have 
everlasting  life." 


33 


3.  Q.     Is  it  necessary  that  all  meo  should  exercise  faith 
iu  order  to  secure  salvation  ? 

^1.     Yes,  faith  is  required  of  all  men.     Heb.  xi    6 
Mark  xvi.  16. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  Witliout  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  him;  for  lie  that  com" 
etli  to  God  must  believe  that  he  is,  and  that  he  is  a  rewarder  o^ 
them  that  diligently  seek  him." 

"  He  that  belie veth  not  shall  be  damned." 

4.  Q.  What  is  faith,  besides  being  the  first  principle  of 
salvation  ? 

A.     Faith  is  a  principle  of  power,  in  fact  the  founda- 
tion of  power.     Mark  xi.  22-24. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  Have  faith  in  God.  For  verily  I  say  unto  you,  That  whoso- 
ever shall  say  unto  this  mountain,  Be  thou  removed,  and  be 
thou  cast  mto  the  sea;  and  shall  not  doubt  it  in  his  heart,  but 
shall  believe  tJiat  those  things  which  he  saith  shall  come  to  pass- 
w^,  .  .,  •  ''^'''  whatsoever  he  saith;  Therefore,  I  say  unto  you! 
What  things  soever  ye  desire,  when  ye  pray,  believe  that  ye  re- 
ceive them,  and  ye  shall  have  them."  ^ 

5.  Q.  ^  Name  some  events  in  which  the  power  of  faith 
was  manifested. 

A.     By  faith    Enoch  was  translated  without  seeing 
death;    by   faith   the   children   of    Israel,   under   Moses 
passed   through  the  Ked  Sea,  as   on  dry  land,  while  the 
Egyptians  in  attempting  to   do    the  same  were  drowned  • 
by  faith  the  walls  of  Jericho  fell  down,  at  the  blowing  of 
the  ram's  horns,  and  the  shouting  of  the  people;  by  faith 
the  brother  of  Jared   saw  the  Lord  ;  and  by  faith  Nephi 
learned  that  his  seed  would  fall  away  from  the  truth,  and 
also  that  the  Gospel,  and  the  record  of  their  fathers  should 
in  the  latter  days  be  made  known  among  them. 

6.  Q.     If  faith  is  so  powerful,  can  we  not  be  saved  by  it 
alone,  as  some  men  believe  ? 

A.     No.    Faith  without  further  obedience  is  useless 
James  ii.  14,  20,  26.     Book  of  Mormon,  Mosiah  ii.  3. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

J\i^}'^\  u""!}}  '^  ?'*''^^,'  "^y  brethren,  though  a  man  say  he  hath 
faith  and  hath  not  works  ?  Can  faith  save  him  ?  *  *  *-  But 
wilt  thou  know  O  vain  man  that  faith  without  works  is  dead  ? 

^„f ',.r^"».i  ^^  T  ^5®  f*^^\-7  without  the  spirit  is  dead,  so  faith  with- 
out works  is  dead  also." 

"And  now  if  you  believe  all  these  things,  see  that  ye  do  them." 


34 

7.  Q.     What  is  the  second  principle  of  salvation  ? 
A.     Bepentance. 

8.  Q.     Does  repentance  consist  in  mourning  and  groan- 
ing, and  hanging  down  our  heads  sorrowfully  ? 

A.     No.      A  man  may  do  all  those  things  and  yet 
never  repent. 

9.  Q.     Then  what  is  repentance? 

A.  Forsaking  sin,  with,  full  purpose  of  heart  to  work 
righteousness.     Isaiah  Iv.  7. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"Let  the  wicked  forsake  his  w^ay,  and  the  unrighteous  man 
his  thoughts;  and  let  him  return  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  will  have 
jnercy  upon  him;  and  to  our  God,  for  he  will  abundantly  par- 
don." 

10.  Q.     Is  it  necessary  for  all  men  to  repent? 

A.     Yes.     None  who  have  arrived  at  years  of  ac- 
countability can  be  excused.     Luke  xiii.  3 ;  xxiv.  47. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  Except  ye  repent,  ye  shall  all  likewise  perish." 

"  That  repentance  and  remission  of  sins  should  be  preached 
in  his  name  among  all  nations." 


CHAPTER    XI. 

BAPTISM. 

1.  Q.     What  is  the  third  principle  of  the  Gospel  ? 
A.     The  Baptism  of  Water. 

2.  Q.     What  is  the  proper  mode  of  water  baptism  ? 

A.  The  person"  jto  be  baptised  goes,  with  another 
person  properly  authorized,  into  the  water,  and  is  immersed 
by  him.  Book  of  Mormon,  Nephi  v.  8.  Doctrine  and 
Covenants  ii.  21 ;  new  edition,  xx.  72-74. 

Repeat  the  pas^ges. 

"  On  this  wise  shall  ye  baptize:  and  there  shall  be  no  disputa- 
tions among  you.  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  whoso  repenteth 
of  his  sins  through  your  words,  and  desireth  to  be  baptized  in 
my  name,  on  this  wise  shall  ye  baptize  them:  behold,  ye  shall 
go  down  and  stand  in  the  water,  and  in  my  name  shall  ye  bap- 
tize them.    And  now  behold,  these  are  the  words  which  ye  shall 


35 

say,  callinp:  them  by  name,  saying,  Having  authority  given  me 
of  Jesus  Christ,  I  baptize  you  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of 
the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Gliost.  Amen.  And  then  shall  ye  im- 
merse them  in  the  water,  and  come  forth  again  out  of  the  water. 
And  after  this  manner  shall  ye  baptize  in  my  name,  for  behold 
verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  the  Father  and  the  Son,  and  the  Holy 
Ghost  are  one;  and  lam  in  the  Father,  and  the  Father  in  me, 
and  the  Father  and  I  are  one.  And  according  as  I  have  com- 
manded you,  thus  shall  ye  baptize." 

"  Baptism  is  to  be  administered  in  the  following  manner  unto 
all  those  who  repent — The  person  who  is  called  of  God,  and  has 
authority  from  Jesus  Christ  to  baptize,  shall  go  down  into  the 
water  with  the  person  who  has  presented  him  or  herself  for  bap- 
tism, and  shall  say,  calling  him  or  her  by  name — Having  been 
commissioned  of  Jesus  Christ,  I  baptize  you  in  the  name  of  the 
Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Amen.  Then 
shall  he  immerse  him  or  her  in  the  water,  and  come  forth  out  of 
the  water." 

3.  Q.     Is  not  baptism  called  a  burial  ? 

A.     St.  Paul  calls  it  so.      Eom.  vi.  4,  5.     Col.  ii.  12. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

*' Therefore  we  are  buried  with  him  by  baptism  into  death; 
that  like  as  Christ  was  raised  up  from  the  dead  by  the  glory  of 
the  Father,  even  so  we  also  should  walk  in  newness  of  life.  For 
if  we  have  been  planted  together  in  the  likeness  of  his  death,  we 
shall  be  also  in  the  likeness  of  his  resurrection." 

"  Buried  with  him  in  baptism." 

4.  Q.  Do  not  many  people  believe  that  baptism  should 
be  performed  by  sprinkling  or  pouring  water  upon  the 
person  ? 

A.  Yes,  but  such  people  are  in  error,  and  their 
sprinkling  or  pouring  is  of  no  avail,  for  God  does  not  re- 
cognize it. 

5.  Q.     For  what  is  baptism  ordained  ? 

A.  For  the  remission  of  sins.  Acts  ii.  38.  Book 
of  Mormon,  Nephi  v,  9. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

*'  Repent  and  be  baptized  every  one  of  you  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ  for  the  remission  of  sins,  and  ye  shall  receive  the  gift  of 
the  Holy  Ghost." 

"  Yea,  blessed  are  they  who  shall  believe  in  your  words,  and 
come  down  into  the  depths  of  humility  and  be  baptized,  for  they 
shall  be  visited  with  fire  and  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  shall  re- 
ceive a  remission  of  their  sins." 

6.  Q.  Is  the  remission  of  sins  to  be  obtained  by  mere 
immersion  in  water  ? 


36 

A.  Of  itself,  immeraicm  in  water  cannot  remit  a 
man's  sins. 

7.  Q.     How,  then,  can  remission  of  sins  be  obtained  by- 
baptism  ? 

A.  Because  God  has  ordained  that  a  man's  sins  shall 
be  remembered  no  more  against  him  after  he  has  rejjented, 
and  has  been  properly  baptized  by  one  having  authority. 
It  is  the  appointment  and  command  of  God  that  give 
power  and  virtue  to  any  ordinance. 

8.  Q.  But  as  baptism  is  an  outward  ordinance,  cannot 
men  be  saved  without  it  if  they  believe  and  repent  ? 

A.  No  person  who  has  arrived  at  years  of  accounta- 
bility, and  has  heard  the  Gospel,  can  be  saved  without  bap- 
tism. Book  of  Mormon,  Nephi  v.  8,  9.  Doctrine  and 
Covenants  iv.  12 ;  new  edition,  Ixxxiv.  74. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  And  whoso  believeth  not  in  me,  and  is  not  baptized,  shall  be 
damned.  *  *  *  And  again  I  say  unto  you,  ye  must  repent, 
and  be  baptized  in  my  name,  and  become  as  a  little  child,  or  ye 
can  in  no  wise  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God.  Verily,  verily  I  say 
unto  you,  that  this  is  my  doctrine,  and  whoso  buildelh  upon  this, 
buildeth  upon  my  rock,  and  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail 
against  them." 

**  Verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  they  who  believe  not  on  your 
words,  and  are  not  baptized  in  water,  in  my  name,  for  the  re- 
mission of  their  sins,  that  they  may  receive  the  Holy  Ghost, 
shall  be  damned,  and  shall  not  come  into  my  Father's  kingdom, 
where  my  Father  and  I  are." 

9.  Q.     Who  are  the  proper  subjects  of  baptism  ? 

A.  Those  persons  who  have  come  to  years  of  ac- 
countability. Doctrine  and  Covenants  ii.  20 ;  xliii.  6 ;  new 
edition,  xx.  71 ;  xviii.  42. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"No  one  can  be  received  into  the  Church  of  Christ,  unless  he 
has  arrived  unto  the  years  of  accountability  before  God,  and  is 
capable  of  repentance." 

"  For  all  men  must  repent  and  be  baptized,  and  not  only  men, 
but  women,  and  children  who  have  arrived  to  the  years  of  ac- 
countability." 

10.  Q.  Then  little  children  are  not  required  to  be  ban- 
tized  ?  ^ 

A.  Little  children  are  not  held  accountable  before 
God,  and  therefore  are  not  considered  sinners,  consequently 
they  need  no  baptism.     Book  of  Mormon,  Moroni  viii.  2. 


37 

Repeat  the  passage. 

*'  Behold,  I  came  into  the  world  not  to  call  the  righteous,  but 
sinners  to  repentance:  the  whole  need  no  physician,  but  they 
that  are  sick:  wherefore  little  children  are  whole,  for  tiiey  are 
not  capable  of  committing  sin.  *  ■''  *  '•  Behold,  I  say  unto 
you,  that  this  thing  shall  ye  teach,  repentance  and  baptism  unto 
those  who  are  accountable,  and  capable  of  committing  sin;  yea, 
teach  parents  that  they  must  repent  and  be  baptized,  and  liuin- 
ble  themselves  as  their  little  children,  and  they  shall  all  be  saved 
with  their  little  children;  and  their  little  children  need  no  re- 
penta,nce,  neither  baptism." 

11.  Q.  Do  not  many  persons  teach  that  little  children 
will  not  be  saved,  unless  they  are  baptized  ? 

A.  Yes,  but  such  a  doctrine  is  very  wicked,  and  an 
abomination  in  the  sight  of  God.  Book  of  Mormon,  Mo- 
roni viii.  2,  3. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  Wherefore,  my  beloved  son,  I  know  that  it  is  solemn  mock- 
ery before  God,  that  ye  should  baptize  little  children.  *  *  * 
Wherefore,  if  little  children  could  not  be  saved  \vithout  baptism, 
these  must  have  gone  to  an  endless  hell.  Behold,  I  say  unto  you, 
that  he  that  supposeth  that  little  children  need  baptism,  is  in 
the  gall  of  bitterness,  and  in  the  bonds  of  iniquity,  for  he  hath 
neither  faith,  hope,  nor  charity,  wherefore,  should  he  be  cut  off 
while  in  the  thought,  he  must  go  down  to  hell.  For  awful  is  the 
wickedness  to  suppose  that  God  saveth  one  child  because  of  bap- 
tism, and  the  other  must  perish  because  he  hath  no  baptism. 
Woe  be  unto  him  that  shall  pervert  the  ways  of  the  Lord  after 
this  manner,  for  they  shall  perish,  except  they  repent.  Behold, 
I  speak  with  boldness,  having  authority  from  God.  *  *  * 
Little  children  cannot  repent:  wherefore  it  is  awful  wickedness 
to  deny  the  pure  mercies  of  God  unto  them,  for  they  are  all 
alive  in  him  because  of  his  mercy.  And  he  that  saith  that  little 
children  need  baptism,  denieth  the  mercies  of  Christ,  and  set- 
teth  at  naught  the  atonement  of  him  and  the  power  of  his  re- 
demption. Woe  unto  such,  for  they  are  in  danger  of  death,  hell, 
and  an  endless  torment.  I  speak  it  boldly,  God  hath  command- 
ed me." 

12.  Q.  At  what  age  are  children  considered  accounta- 
ble, and  old  enough  to  be  baptized  ? 

A.  The  children  of  the  Saints  are  considered  old 
enough  at  eight  years  to  be  baptized.  Doctrine  and  Cov- 
enants xxii.  4  ;  new  edition,'  Ixviii.  26-28. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  And  again,  inasmuch  as  parents  have  children  in  Zion,  or  in 
any  of  her  stakes  which  are  organized,  that  teach  them  not  to 
understand  the  doctrine  of  repentance,  faith  In  Christ  the  son  of 
the  living  God,  and  of  baptism,  and  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
by  the  laying  on  of  the  hands,  when  eight  years  old,  the  sin  be 


38 

upon  the  heads  of  the  parents:  for  this  shall  be  a  law  unto  the 
inhabitants  of  Zion,  or  in  any  of  her  stakes  which  are  organized; 
and  their  children  shall  be  baptized  for  the  remission  of  their 
sins  when  eight  years  old,  and  receive  the  laying  on  of  the 
hands,  and  they  shall  also  teach  their  children  to  pray  and  to 
walk  uprightly  before  the  Lord." 

13.  Q.     What  is  baptism  sometimes  called? 

A.  The  law  of  adoption,  or  the  door  of  the  king- 
dom of  God. 

14.  Q.     Why  is  baptism  so  called  ? 

A.  Because  mankind  having  become,  through  sin, 
strangers  and  aliens  to  God,  they,  by  obeying  the  ordinance 
of  baptism,  become  his  adopted  children,  and  members 
of  his  kingdom. 


CHAPTER    XIT. 

THE    HOLY    SPIRIT. 

1.  Q.  When  a  person  has  been  baptized,  what  is  it  his 
privilege  to  receive? 

A.  The  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

2.  Q.  What  is  the  Holy  Spirit  commonly  called  ? 
A.  The  Holy  Ghost. 

3.  Q.  What  did  Jesus  Christ  call  it? 
A.  The  Comforter. 

4.  §.     For  what  is  the  Holy  Ghost  given. 

A.  To  cheer,  comfort,  and  enlighten  the  mind, 
strengthen  the  memory,  and  lead  into  all  truth,  that  men 
may  become  perfect.     John  xiv.  26. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"But  the  Comforter,  which  is  the  Holy  Ghost,  whom  the 
Father  will  send  in  my  name,  he  shall  teach  you  all  things,  and 
bring  all  things  to  your  remembrance,  whatsoever  I  ,have  said 
unto  you." 

5.  Q.  What  are  the  peculiar  manifestations  of  the 
Holy  Ghost? 

A.  Amongst  others,  visions,  dreams,  prophecies, 
speaking  in  divers  tongues,  interpretation  of  tongues,  dis- 
cernment ;of  spirits  and  angels  ;   knowledge,  wisdom,  ex- 


39 

traordinary  faith,  healings,  and  miraculous  powers.     1  Cor. 
xii.  8-11.     Book  of  Mormon,  Moroni  x.  1. 

Repeat.the  passages. 

"Forte  one  is  given  by  tlie  Spirit  tlie  word  of  wisdom;  to 
anotlier  the  word  of  knowledge  by  the  same  Spirit;  to'another 
faith  by  the  same  Spirit;  to  another  the  gift  of  healing  by  the 
same  Spirit;  to  another  the  working  of  miracles;  to  another 
prophecy;  to  another  discerning  of  sj^irits;  to  another  divers 
kinds  of  tongues;  to  another  the  interpretation  of  tongues:  But 
all  these  worketh  that  one  and  the  self  same  Spirit,  dividing  to 
every  man  severally  as  he  will." 

"And  again  I  exhort  you,  my  brethren,  that  ye  deny  not  the 
gifts  of  God,  for  they  are  many;  and  they  come  from  the  same 
God.  And  there  are  different  ways  that  these  gifts  are  adminis- 
tered; but  it  is  the  same  God  who  worketh  all  in  all;  and  they 
are  given  by  the  manifestations  of  the  Spirit  of  God  unto  men, 
to  profit  them.  For  behold,  to  one  is  given  the  Spirit  of  God, 
that  he  may  teach  the  word  of  wisdom;  and  to  another,  that  he 
may  teach  the  word  of  knowledge  by  the  same  Spirit;  and  to 
another,  exceeding  great  faith;  and  to  another,  the  gift  of  heal- 
ing by  the  same  Spirit.  And  again,  to  another,  that  he  may 
work  mighty  miracles:  and  again,  to  another,  that  he  may 
prophesy  concerning  all  things;  and  again,  to  another,  the  be- 
holding of  angels  and  ministering  spirits;  and  again,  to  another, 
all  kinds  of  tongues;  and  again,  to  another,  the  interpretation  of 
languages  and  of  divers  kinds  of  tongues." 

6.  Q.  Can  these  manifestations  of  the  Holy  Ghost  be 
obtained  by  men  in  all  ages  of  the  world  ? 

A.  The  manifestation  of  the  Holy  Ghost  always  fol- 
low faith  in,  and  obedience  to,  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ. 
Acts  ii.  38,  39.     Book  of  Mormon,  Moroni  vii.  4 ;  x.  1. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  Repent,  and  be  baptized  every  one  of  you  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ  for  the  remission  of  sins,  and  ye  shall  receive  the 
gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  For  the  promise  is  unto  you,  and  to 
your  children,  and  to  all  that  are  afar  of,  even  as  many  as  the 
Lord  our  God  shall  call." 

"  Has  the  day  of  miracles  ceased  ?  Or  have  angels  ceased  to 
appear  unto  the  children  of  man  ?  Or  has  he  withheld  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Ghost  from  them  ?  Or  will  he  so  long  as  time  shall 
last,  or  the  earth  shall  stand,  or  there  shall  be  one  man  upon  the 
face  thereof  to  be  saved  ?    Behold  I  say  unto  you  nay." 

"And  I  would  exhort  you,  my  beloved  brethren,  that  ye  re- 
member that  he  is  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  forever,  and 
that  all  these  gifts  of  which  I  have  spoken,  which  are  the  spirit- 
ual, never  will  be  done  away,  even  as  long  as  the  world  shall 
stand,  only  according  to  the  unbelief  of  the  children  of  men." 

7.   Q.     Do  not  many  people  teach  that  these  gifts  are 
done  away  and  no  longer  needed  ? 


40 

A.  Yes,  but  such  persons  are  false  teachers,  and  the 
wrath  of  God  is  kindled  against  them,  for  where  these  gifts 
are  not  enjoyed,  unbelief,  darkness,  confusion,  strife  and 
wickedness  are  sure  to  prevail.  Prov.  xxix.  18.  Micah  ii. 
6,  7.  Book  of  Mormon,  Nephi  xiii.  6.  Mormon  iv.  6. 
Moroni  x.  2. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

*'  Where  there  is  no  vision,  the  people  perish." 
"  Prophesy  ye  not,  say  they  to  them  that  prophesy;  they  shall 
not  prophesy  to  them,  that  they  shall  not  take  shame.  Oh  thou 
that  art  named  the  house  of  Jacob,  is  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
straightened  ?  Are  these  his  doings  ?  Do  not  my  words  do  good 
to  him  that  walketh  uprightly  ?  " 

*'  Wo  unto  him  that  spurneth  at  the  doings  of  the  Lord;  yea, 
wo  unto  him  that  shall  deny  the  Christ  and  his  works;  yea,  wo 
unto  him  that  shall  deny  the  revelations  of  the  Lord,  and  that 
shall  say  the  Lord  no  longer  worketh  by  revelation,  or  by 
prophecy,  or  by  gifts,  or  by  tongues,  or  by  healing,  or  bv  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  yea,  and  wo  unto  him  that  ■'shall  say 
at  that  day,  that  there  can  be  no  miracle  wrought  by  Jesus  Christ, 
to  get  gain;  for  he  that  doeth  this  shall  become  like  unto  the  son 
of  perdition,  for  whom  there  was  no  mercy,  according  to  the 
word  of  Christ." 

"  And  again  I  speak  unto  you,  who  deny  the  revelations  of 
God,  and  say  that  they  are  done  away,  that  there  are  no  revela- 
tions, nor  prophecies,  nor  gifts,  nor  healing,  nor  speaking  with 
tongues,  and  the  interpretation  of  tongues.  Behold  I  say  unto 
you,  he  that  denieth  these  things,  knoweth  not  the  gospel  of 
Christ:  yea,  he  hath  not  read  the  Scriptures;  if  so,  he  does  not 
understand  them.  For  do  we  not  read  that  God  is  the  same 
yesterday,  to-day,  and  forever;  and  in  him  there  is  no  variable- 
ness, neither  shadow  of  changing.  And  now,  if  ye  have  imag- 
ined up  unto  yourselves  a  God  who  doth  vary,  and  in  him 
there  is  shadow  of  changing,  then  have  ye  imagined  up  unto 
yourselves  a  God  who  is  not  a  God  of  miracles.  But  behold,  I 
will  shew  unto  you  a  God  of  miracles,  even  the  God  of  Abraham, 
and  the  God  of  Isaac,  and  the  God  of  Jacob;  and  it  is  that  same 
God  who  created  the  heavens  and  the  earth,  and  all  things  that 
in  them  are." 

"And  now  I  speak  unto  all  the  ends  of  the  earth,  that  if  the  day 
Cometh  that  the  power  and  gifts  of  God  shall  be  done  away 
among  you,  it  shall  be  because  of  unbelief.  And  wo  be  unto  the 
children  of  nien,  if  this  be  the  case;  for  there  shall  be  none  that 
doeth  good  among  you,  no  not  one.  For  if  there  be  one  among 
you  that  doeth  good,  he  shall  work  by  the  power  and  gifts  of 
God.  And  wo  unto  them  who  shall  do  these  things  away  and 
die,  for  they  die  in  their  sins,  and  they  cannot  be  saved  in  the 
kingdom  of  God;  and  I  speak  it  according  to  the  words  of  Christ, 
and  I  lie  not." 

8.  Q.  Does  not  St.  Paul  say  that  these  gifts  shall  van- 
ish away  ? 


41 

A.     Yes,  but  not  until  the  Saints  are  made  perfect. 
1  Cor.  xiii.  8,  9,  10. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"But  whether  there  he  pro|;'hecies,  they  shall  fail;  whether 
there  be  tongues,  they  shall  cease;  whether  there  be  knowledge, 
it  shall  A'anish  away.  For  we  know  in  part  and  wo  prophesy  in 
jmrt.  But  when  that  which  is  perfect  is  come,  then  that  which 
is  in  part  shall  be  done  away." 

9.  Q.     How  is  it,  then,  that  the  manifestations  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  are  not  enjoyed  by  religious  people  in  general? 
A.     Because  of  their  unbelief.     Book  of  Mormon, 
Mormon  iv.  7. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"And  now,  O  all  ye  that  have  imagined  up  unto  yourselves  a 
God  who  can  do  no  mii-acles,  I  would  ask  of  you,  have  all  these 
tilings  passed,  of  which  I  have  spoken  ?    Has  the  end  come  yet? 
Behold  I  say  unto  you,  nay;  and  God  has  not  ceased  to  be  a  God 
of  miracles:     Behold,  are  not  the  things  that  God  hath  wrought, 
marvellous  in  our  eyes  ?    Yea,  and  who  can  comprehend  the 
marvellous  works  of  God  ?  Who  shall  say  that  it  was  not  a  miracle, 
tliat  by  his  word  the  heaven  and  the  earth  should  be,  and  by 
the  power  of  his  word,  man  was  created  of  the  dust  of  the  earth: 
and  by  the  power  of  his  word   hath  miracles  been  wrought  ? 
And  who  shall  say  that  Jesus  Christ  did  not  do  many  mighty 
miracles  ?    And  there  were  many  mighty  miracles  wrought  Ijy 
the  hands  of  the  aj)ostles.    And  if  there  were  miracles  wrought 
tlien,  why  has  God  ceased  to  be  a  God  of  miracles  and  yet  be  an 
unchangeable  being  ?    And  beliold  I  say  unto  you  he  changeth 
not;  if  so,  he  would  cease  to  be  God;    and  he  ceaseth  not  to  be 
God,  and  is  a  God  of  miracles.    And  the  reason  ho  ceaseth  to  do 
miracles  among  the  children  of  men  is  because  that  they  dwindle 
in  unbelief,  and  depart  from  the  right  way,  and  know  not  the  God 
in  whom  they  should  trust.     Behold  I  say  unto  you,  that  whoso 
believeth  in  Christ,  doubting  nothing,  whatsoever  he  shall  ask 
tlie  Father  in  the  name  of  Christ  it  shall  be  granted  him;  and 
this  promise  is  unto  all,  even  unto  the  ends  of  the  earth.    For 
behold,  tiius  saith  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  unto  his  disci- 
ples, who  should  tarry;  yea,  and  also  to  all  his  disciples,  in  the 
hearing  of  the  multitude.  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach 
the  gospel  to  every  creature;  and  he  that  believeth  and  is  bap- 
tized shall  be  saved,  but  he  that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned, 
and  these  signs  shall  follow  them  that  believe;  in  my  name  shall 
they  cast  out  devils;  they  shall  speak  with  new  tongues;  they 
shall  take  up  serpents;  and  if  they  drink  any  deadly  thing  it 
shall  not  hurt  them;  they  shall  lay  hands  on  the  sick,  and  they 
shall  recover;  and  whosoever  shall  believe  in  my  name,  doubt- 
ing nothing,  unto  him  will  I  conftrm  all  my  words,  even  unto 
the  ends  of  the  earth.    And  now  behold,  who  can  stand  against 
the  works  of   the  Lord  ?  Who  can  deny  his  sayings  ?    Who 
will  rise  up  against  the  almighty  power  of  the   Lord?    Who 
will  despise  the  works  of  the  Lord  ?    Who  will  despise  the  chil- 
dren of  Christ?    Behold,  all  ye  who  are  dospisers  of  the  works 
of  the  Lord,  for  ye  shall  wonder  and  perish." 


42 

10.  Q.     In  wli^t  manner  is  the  Gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
communicated  to  man  ? 

A.  By  the  laying  on  of  hands  of  those  having  au- 
thority. Acts  viii.  17.  Book  of  Mormon,  Moroni  ii.  1. 
Doctrine  and  Covenants  lix.  6 ;  new  edition,  xxxix,  23. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  Then  laid  they  their  hands  on  them,  and  they  received  the 
Holy  Ghost." 

"  The  words  of  Christ,  which  he  spake  unto  his  disciples,  the 
Twelve  whom  he  had  chosen,  as  he  laid  his  hands  upon  them. 
And  he  called  them  by  name,  saying.  Ye  shall  call  on  the  Father 
in  my  name,  in  mighty  prayer;  and  after  ye  have  done  this,  ye 
shall  have  power,  that  on  him  whom  ye  shall  lay  your  hands 
ye  shall  give  the  Holy  Ghost;  and  in  my  name  shall  ye  give  it, 
for  thus  do  mine  apostles." 

"And  on  as  many  as  they  laid  their  hands  fell  the  Holy 
Ghost." 

"  And  again,  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  on  as  many  as  ye  shall 
baptize  with  water  ye  shall  lay  your  hands,  and  they  shall  re- 
ceive the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 

11.  §.  Have  not  many  persons  received  the  Gift  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  without  the  laying  on  of  hands  ? 

A.  Yes,  the  house  of  Cornelius,  the  centurion,  did. 
Acts  X.  44. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"While  Peter  yet  spake  these  words,  the  Holy  Ghost  fell  on 
all  them  which  heard  the  word." 

12.  §.  How  should  persons  conduct  themselves  after 
they  have  received  the  Holy  Ghost,  in  order  to  retain  it? 

A.  They  should  be  very  humble  and  prayerful,  and 
should  strive  to  keep  all  the  commandments  of  the  Lord, 
observe  all  his  precepts,  and  live  by  every  word  that  pro- 
ceedeth  from  his  mouth. 


-0- 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

THE  SACRAMENT  OF  THE  LORD's  SUPPER. 

1.  §.  What  is  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  ? 
A.  Partaking  of  bread  and  wine. 

2.  Q.  Who  instituted  the  Sacrament  ? 
A.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 


43 

3.  Q.     For  what  purpose  was  it  instituted? 

A.  To  commemorate  liis  sufferings  and  death.  1. 
Cor.  xi.  23-26. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  For  I  have  received  of  the  T^ord  that  which  also  I  delivered 
unto  you,  that  the  Lord  Jesus  the  same  night  in  wliich  he  was 
betrayed,  took  bread;  and  when  he  had  given  thanks,  he  brake 
it,  and  said,  Take,  eat;  this  is  my  body,  which  is  broken  for  you; 
this  do  in  remembrance  of  me.  After  the  same  manner  also  he 
took  the  cup,  Avhen  he  had  supped,  saying.  This  cup  is  the  New 
Testament  in  my  blood;  this  do  ye,  as  oft  as  ye  drink  it,  in  re- 
membrance of  me.  For  as  often  as  ye  eat  this  bread,  and  drink 
this  cup,  ye  do  show  the  Lord's  death  till  he  come." 

4.  Q.     Can  any  one  administer  the  sacrament  ? 

A.     No,  only  those  who  have  received  authority. 

5.  Q.  Among  what  people  did  Jesus  Christ  institute 
the  Sacrament  ? 

A.  Among  his  Jewish  disciples  at  Jerusalem,  just 
previous  to  his  death,  and  among  his  Nephite  desciples  in 
America,  just  after  his  resurrection.  Matt.  xxvi.  26-29. 
Book  of  Mormon,  Nephi  viii.  6,  7. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"And  as  they  were  eating,  Jesus  took  bread,  and) blessed  it, 
and  brake  it,  and  gave  it  to  the  disciples,  and  said.  Take,  eat;  this 
is  my  body.  And  he  took  the  cujd,  and  gave  thanks,  and  gave 
it  to  them,  saying,  Drink  ye  all  of  it;  for  this  is  my  blood  of  the 
New  Testament,  wliich  is  shed  for  many  for  the  remission  of 
sins.  But  I  say  unto  you,  I  will  not  drink  henceforth  of  the 
fruit  of  the  vine,  until  tliat  day  when  I  drink  it  new  with  you 
in  my  Father's  kingdom." 

"And  it  come  to  pass  that  Jesus  commanded  his  disciples  that 
that  they  should  bring  forth  some  bread  and  wine  unto  him. 
And  while  they  were  gone  for  bread  and  Avine,  he  commanded 
the  multitude  that  they  should  sit  themselves  down  upon  the 
eaitli.  And  when  the  disciples  had  come  with  bread  and  wine, 
he  took  of  the  bread,  and  blessed  it  and  brake  it :  and  he  gave 
unto  the  disciples,  and  commanded  that  they  should  eat.  And 
wlien  tliey  had  eat,  and  were  filled,  he  commanded  tliat  they 
should  give  unto  the  multitude.  And  when  the  multitude  had 
eaten  and  were  filled,  he  said  unto  tlie  disciples,  Behold  there 
shall  one  be  ordained  among  you,  and  to  him  will  I  give  power 
tliat  he  shall  break  bread,  and  bless  it,  and  give  it  unto  the  peo- 
ple of  my  church,  unto  all  those  avIio  shall  believe  and  be  bap- 
tized in  my  name.  And  this  shall  ye  always  observe  to  do,  even 
as  I  have  done,  even  as  I  have  broken  bread,  and  blessed  it,  and 
gave  unto  you.  And  this  sliall  ye  do  in  remembrance  of  my 
body,  which  I  have  shown  unto  you.  And  it  shall  be  a  testi- 
mony unto  the  Father,  tliat  ye  do  always  remember  me.  And 
if  ye  do  always  remember  me,  ye  shall  have  my  spirit  to  be 
with  you.    And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  he  had  said  these 


44 

words,  lie  commanded  his  disciples  that  they  should  take  of^the 
wine  of  the  cup,  and  drink  of  it,  and  that  they  should  also  give 
unto  the  multitude,  that  they  might  drink  of  it.  And  it  came 
to  pass  that  they  did  so,  and  did  drink  of  it,  and  were  filled;  and 
they  gave  unto  the  multitude  and  they  did  drink,  and  they  were 
filled.  And  when  the  disciples  had  done  this  Jesus  said  unto 
them.  Blessed  are  ye  for  this  thing  which  ye  have  done,  for  this 
is  fulfilling  my  commandments,  and  this  doth  witness  unto  the 
Father  that  ye  are  willing  to  do  that  which  I  have  commanded 
you.  And  this  shall  ye  always  do  to  those  who  repent  and  are 
baptized  in  my  name;  and  ye  shall  do  it  in  remembrance  of  my 
blood,  which  I  have  shed  for  you,  that  ye  may  witness  unto  the 
Father  that  ye  do  always  remember  me.  And  if  ye  do  always 
remember  me,  ye  shall  have  my  spirit  to  be  with  you.  And  I 
give  unto  you  a  commandment  that  ye  shall  do  these  things. 
And  if  ye  shall  always  do  these  things,  blessed  are  ye,  for  ye  are 
built  upon  my  rock." 

6.  Q.  Have  all  the  members  of  the  Church  of  Christ 
a  right  to  partake  of  the  Sacrament  ? 

A.  All,  excepting  those  who  are  under  condemna- 
tion. 1  Cor.  xi.  27-30.  Book  of  Mormon,  Nephi  viii.  9. 
Doctrine  and  Covenants  xvi.  1 ;  new  edition,  xlvi.  4. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"Wherefore  whosoever  shall  eat  this  bread,  and  drink  this 
cup  of  the  Lord,  unworthily,  shall  be  guilty  of  the  body  and 
blood  of  the  Lord.  But  let  a  man  examine  himself,  and  so  let 
him  eat  of  that  bread,  and  drmk  of  that  cup.  For  he  that  eateth 
and  drinketh  unworthily,  eateth  and  drinketh  condemnation  to 
himself,  not  discerning  the  Lord's  body.  For  this  cause  many 
are  weak  and  sickly  among  you,  and  many  sleep." 

*'  And  now  it  came  to  pass  that  when  Jesus  had  spoken  these 
words,  he  turned  his  eyes  again  upon  his  disciples  whom  he  had 
chosen,  and  said  unto  them.  Behold,  verily,  verily  I  say  unto 
you,  I  give  unto  you  another  commandment,  and  then  I  must 
go  unto  my  Father,  that  I  may  fulfill  other  commandments 
which  he  hath  given  me.  And  now  behold,  this  is  the  com- 
mandment which  I  give  unto  you,  that  ye  shall  not  suffer  any 
one,  knowingly,  to  partake  of  iny  flesh  and  blood  unworthily, 
when  ye  shall  minister  it,  for  whoso  eateth  and  drinketh  my 
flesh  and  blood  unworthily,  eateth  and  drinketh  damnation  to 
his  soul;  therefore  if  ye  know  that  a  man  is  unworthy  to  eat 
and  drink  of  my  flesh  and  blood,  ye  shall  forbid  him :  never- 
theless ye  shall  not  cast  him  out  from  among  you,  but  ye  shall 
minister  unto  him,  and  shall  pray  for  him,  unto  the  Father,  in 
my  name,  and  if  it  so  be  that  he  repenteth,  and  is  baptized  in 
my  name,  then  shall  ye  receive  him  and  shall  minister  unto 
him  of  my  flesh  and  blood;  but  if  he  repent  not,  he  shall  not 
be  numbered  among  my  people,  that  he  may  not  destroy  my 
people,  for  behold  I  know  my  sheep,  and  they  are  numbered; 
nevertheless  ye  shall  not  cast  him  out  of  your  synagogues,  or 
places  of  worship,  for  unto  such  shall  ye  continue  to  minister; 
for  ye  know  not  but  that  they  will  return  and  repent,  and  come 
unto  me  with  full  purpose  of  heart,  and  I  shall  heal  them,  and 


45 

ye  shall  be  the  means  of  bringing  .salval ion  unto  tlieni.  Tliere- 
ifore  keep  these  sayings  which  I  ha\e  conunandetl  yon,  tliat  ye 
come  not  under  condemnation,  for  v,o  unto  him  whom  the 
Father  condemneth." 

"  Ye  are  also  commanded  not  to  cast  any  one,  who  belongeth 
to  the  Church,  out  of  your  Sacrament  meetings;  nevertheless,  if 
any  have  trespassed,  fet  him  not  partake  until  he  makes  recon- 
ciliation." 

7.  Q.     How  is  the  bread  administered  ? 

A.  The  person  having  authority  breaks  the  bread, 
asks  a  blessing  on  it,  and  then  gives  it  to  the  Church  as- 
sembled. Doctrine  and  Covenants  ii.  22;  new  edition,  xx. 
76,  77. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  It  is  expedient  that  the  Church  meet  together  often  to  par- 
take of  bread  and  wine  in  remembrance  of  the  Lord  Jesus; 
and  the  Elder  or  Priest  shall  administer  it;  and  after  this  man- 
ner shall  he  administer  it^ — he  shall  kneel  with  the  Church  and 
call  ui)on  the  Father  in  solemn  prayer,  saying — O  God,  the 
Eternal  Father,  we  ask  thee  in  the  name  of  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ  to  bless  and  sanctify  this  bread  to  the  souls  of  all  those 
who  partake  of  it,  that  they  may  eat  in  remembrance  of  the 
body  of  thy  Son,  and  witness  unto  thee,  O'tJod,  the  Eternal 
Father,  that  they  are  willing  to  take  ujDon  them  the  name  of  thy 
Son,  and  always  remember  him,  and  keep  his  commandments 
which  he  has  given  them,  that  they  may  always  have  his  Spirit 
to  be  with  them .    Amen . ' ' 

8.  Q.     How  is  the  wine  administered  ? 

A.  A  blessing  is  asked  upon  it  by  the  person  having 
authority,  and  then  he  gives  it  to  the  Church.  Doctrine 
and  Covenants  ii.  23;  new  edition,  xx.  78,  79. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"The  manner  of  administering  the  wine.  He  shall  take  the 
cup  also,  and  say — O  God,  the  Eternal  Father,  we  ask  thee  m  the 
name  of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ,  to  bless  and  sanctify  this  wine  to 
the  souls  of  all  those  who  drink  of  it,  that  they  may  do  it  in  re- 
membrance of  the  blood  of  thy  Son,  which  was  shed  for  them; 
that  they  may  witness  unto  thee,  O  God,  the  Eternal  Father, 
that  they  do  always  remember  him,  that  they  may  have  his 
Spirit  to  be  with  them.    Amen." 

9.  Q.     How  often  does  the  Church  of  Christ  partake  of 
the  Sacrament  ? 

A.     Generally  every  Sunday. 

10.  Q.     Will  Jesus  Christ  ever  again  partake  of  the 
Sacrament  ? 

A.     Yes,  when  he  comes  to  the  earth  again.     Doc- 
trine and  Covenants  1.  2, 3;  new  edition,  xxvii.  5-7, 9-12, 14. 


46 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  Wherefore,  marvel  not,  for  the  hour  cometh  that  I  will  drink 
of  the  fruit  of  the  vine  with  you  on  the  earth,  and  with  Moroni; 
-:•:-  *  -;i:-  ^nd  also  with  Elias,  *  *  *  and  also  John,  the  son  of 
Zacharias;  *  •■•  *  and  also  Elijah;  *  *  *  and  also  with 
Joseph  and  Jacob,  and  Isaac,  and  Abraham,  your  fathers,  by 
whom  the  promises  remain;  and  also  ^^ith  Michael,  or  Adam, 
the  father  of  all,  the  prince  of  all,  the  ancient  of  days.  *  *  * 
And  also  with  Peter,  and  James,  and  John;  *  ••■"•■•  and  also 
with  all  those  whom  my  Father  hath  given  me  out  of  the  w^erld." 

11.  Q.  Are  bread  and  wine  always  used  in  the  Sacra- 
ment ? 

A.     No.    Water   is   occasionally    used,   when   wine 
made  by  the  Church  cannot  be  obtained. 

12.  Q,.  When  wine  is  not  to  be  had,  is  the  use  of  water 
equally  acceptable  in  the  sight  of  God  ? 

A.  Yes.  It  was  through  a  revelation  from  him,  that 
water  was  first  used  in  the  sacrament.  Doctrine  and 
Covenants  1.  1,  2 ;  new  edition,  xxvii.  2-5. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

*'  For,  behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  it  mattereth  not  what  ye 
shall  eat,  or  what  ye  shall  drink,  when  ye  partake  of  the  Sacra- 
ment, if  it  so  be  that  ye  do  it  with  an  eye  single  to  my  glory;  re- 
membering unto  the  Father  my  body  which  was  laid  down  for 
you,  and  my  blood  which  w^as  shed  for  the  remission  of  your 
sins;  wherefore  a  commandment  I  give  unto  you,  that  you  shall 
not  purchase  wine,  neither  strong  drink,  of  your  enemies; 
wherefore,  ye  shall  partake  of  none,  except  it  is  made  new  among 
you;  yea,  in  this  my  Father's  kingdom  which  shall  be  built 
upon  the  earth.    Behold,  this  is  wisdom  in  me." 

13.  Q.  What  was  designed  in  the  institution  of  the 
Sacrament? 

A.  As  it  is  administered  to  commemorate  the  suffer- 
ings and  death  of  Jesus  Christ,  it  appears  to  be  instituted 
also  that  the  members  of  the  Church  may  reflect  on  the 
mission  of  their  Redeemer,  and  thereby  be  led  to  be  more 
humble,  faithful,  and  united,  and  receive  of  his  spirit  more 
fully,  so  that  they  may  become  one  with  him. 


-0- 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

THE   CHURCH  OF   CHRIST. 

1.   Q.     What  are  those  who  believe  and  obey  the  truth 
called? 


47 

A.     Saints. 

2.  Q.  What  are  they  called  a.s  an  organized  body  of 
people  ? 

A.     The  Church  ot  Jesus  Christ  of  Li^tter-day  Saints. 

3.  §.  Are  there  more  Churches  of  Christ  on  the  earth 
than  one  ? 

A.  No.  There  can  be  but  one,  and  though  that  one 
may  have  many  branches,  they  must  all  be  united,  and  be 
subject  to  one  head. 

4.  Q,  Is  it  right  that  any  branch  of  the  Church  of 
Christ  should  call  itself  the  Church  of  England,  or  the 
Wesleyan  Methodist  Church,  or  the  New  Connexion 
Methodist  Church,  or  the  Reformed  Methodist  Church, 
or  the  General  Baptist  Church,  or  the  Particular  Baptist 
Church  ? 

A.  No.  God  highly  disapproves  of  such  names 
being  applied  to  his  Church  or  any  portion  thereof.  1 
Cor.  i.  10-13.     iii.  3-7. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

*',Now,  I  beseech  you,  brethren,  by  the  name  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  that  ye  all  speak  the  same  thing,  and  that  there  be 
no  divisions  among  you;  but  that  ye  be  perfectly  joined  together 
in  the  same  mind  and  in  the  same  judgment.  For  it  hath  been 
declared  unto  me  of  you,  my  brethren,  by  them  whicli  are  of 
the  house  of  Chloe,  that  there  are  contentions  among  you.  Now 
this  I  say,  that  every  one  of  you  saith,  I  am  of  Paul:  and  I  of 
Apollos;  audi  of  Ceplias;  and  I  of  Christ.  Is  Christ  divided  ? 
Was  Paul  crucified  for  you  ?  Or  were  ye  baptized  in  the  name 
of  Paul?" 

"  For  ye  are  yet  carnal;  for  whereas  there  is  among  you  envy- 
ing, and  strife,  and  divisions,  are  ye  not  carnal,  and  walk  as 
men  ?  For  while  one  saith,  I  am  of  Paul;  and  another,  I  am  of 
Apollos;  are  ye  not  carnal?  Who  then  is  Paul,  and  wlio  is 
Apollos,  but  ministers  by  whom  ye  believed,  even  as  the  Lord 
gave  to  every  man  ?  I  have  planted,  Apollos  watered;  but  God 
gave  the  increase.  So  then  neither  is  he  that  planteth  anything, 
neither  he  that  watereth;  but  God  that  giveth  the  increase." 

5.  Q.  Are  these  societies  which  use  such  names  branches 
ofthe  Church  of  Christ? 

A.  No,  for  they  have  been  founded  in  the  wisdom  of 
this  world,  by  men  who  have  not  received  authority  from 
God. 

6.  Q.  Why  are  such  names  given  to  societies  of  men 
who  profess  to  belong  to  the  Church  of  Christ  ? 

A.  Because  the  founders  of  those  societies,  not  being 
instructed  of  the  Lord,  have  not  known  his  will   in  the 


48 

matter,  consequently  such  societies  have  been  named  ac- 
cording to  the  taste  of  the  founders,  or  of  the  people,  after 
the  names  of  the  founders,  or  after  some  peculiar  doctrines 
or  circumstances  connected  with  the  societies. 

7.  Q.     Are  such  societies  united,  and  subject  to  one  head  ? 
A.     No.     They  are  divided,  and  they  contend  one 

with  another.  Indeed,  some  have  separated  themselves 
from  others,  for  instance — the  Reformed  Methodist  Church, 
and  the  New  Connexion  Methodist  Church,  separated 
themselves  from  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church ;  the 
Wesleyan  Methodist  Church  separated  itself  from  the 
Church  of  England,  and  the  Church  of  England  separated 
itself  from  .the  Koman  Catholic  Church. 

8.  Q.  How  does  God  look  upon  divisions  and  separa- 
tions from  the  Church  of  Christ  ? 

A.     Jude,  16-19. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  These  are  murmurers,  complainers,  walkmg  after  their  own 
lusts;  and  their  mouth  speaketh  great  swelling  words,  liaving 
men's  persons  in  admiration  because  of  advantage.  JBnt,  be- 
loved, remember  ye  the  words  which  were  spoken  before  of  the 
Apostles  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  How  that  they  told  you 
there  should  be  mockers  in  the  last  time,  who  should  walk  after 
their  own  ungodly  lusts.  These  be  they  that  separate  them- 
selves, sensual,  having  not  the  Spirit." 

9.  Q.  What  are  persons  who  separate  themselves  from 
the  Church  of  Christ  called  ? 

A.     Apostates,  because  they  apostatize  or  fall  away 
from  truth  and  righteousness. 

10.  Q.  Are  the  various  religious  societies  apostate 
churches  ? 

A.  No,  because  they  never  constituted  any  part  of 
the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints. 

11.  Q.  Why  is  this  called  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ 
of  Latter-day  Saints  f 

A.  To  distinguish  it  from  the  Church  that  existed 
in  former  days,  as  these  are  the  latter  days  in  which  we 
live. 

12.  Q.     How  was  this  name  given  to  the  Church  ? 

A.  By  revelation  from  God,  through  his  servant 
Joseph  Smith.     Times  and  Seasons,  Vol.  VI.,  page  922. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

''Verily  thus  saith   the  Lord  unto  you,  my  servant  Joseph 


49 

Sniitli,  junior,  and  also  niy  servant  Sidney  Rigdon,  and  also  my 
servant  Ilyruni  Sinilh,  and  your  Counselors  who  ai'e  and  \vho 
shall  be  hereafter  appointed,  and  also  unto  niy  servant  Edward 
Partridge,  and  his  Counselors,  and  also  unto  my  faithful  serv- 
ants who  are  of  tlie  High  CoiuK-il  of  my  Cliureh  in  Zion  (for 
thus  it  shall  be  called),  and  unto  all  the  Elders  and  people  of  my 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints,  scattered  abroad 
in  all  the  world:  FOR  THUS  SHALL  MY  CHURCH  BE 
CALLED  IN  THE  LAST  DAYS.  EVEN  THE  CHURCH 
OF  JESUS  CHRIST  OF  LATTER-DAY  SAINTS." 

13.  Q.     How  can  the  Church  of  Christ  be  known  from 
other  reliorious  societies  ? 

A.  By  various  characteristics,  among  which  may- 
be named,  its  Priesthood  and  organization ;  its  being  led 
by  a  prophet  having  direct  revelation  from^God ;  its  en- 
joying the  gifts  and  blessings  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  pro- 
mising the  same  to  all  believers  ;  its  purity  and  consistency 
of  doctrine  ;  its  unity  and  oneness  of  spirit ;  its  gathering 
its  members  from  among  the  wicked ;  its  building  of  tem- 
ples dedicated  to  the  Lord,  instead  of  building  churches 
and  chapels  dedicated  to  men  and  women  ;  its  being  perse- 
cuted and  evil-spoken  of  by  every  other  society  and  by 
every  other  people  under  heaven ;  and  lastly,  men  may 
know  the  Church  of  Christ  by  obeying  its  doctrine,  and 
obtaining  a  testimony  for  themselves  by  revelation  from 
God. 

14.  Q.     Is  it  the  privilege  of  any  man  to  receive  a  testi- 
mony for  himself  from  God  ? 

A.  Yes,  if  he  honestly  desires  it,  and  seeks  it  in 
faith.     John  vii.  17.     James  i.  5,  6,  7. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  If  any  man  will  do  his  will,  he  shall  know  of  the  doctrine, 
whether  it  be  of  God,  or  whether  I  speak  of  myself." 

'*If  any  of  you  lack  wisdom,  let  him  ask  of  God,  that  giveth 
to  all  men  liberally,  and  upbraideth  not;  and  it  shall  be  given 
him.  But  let  him  ask  in  faith,  nothing  wavering.  For  he  that 
wavereth  is  like  a  wave  of  the  sea,  driven  with  the  wind  and 
tossed.  For  let  not  that  man  think  that  he  shall  receive  any- 
thing of  the  Lord." 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE   TEN   COMMANDMENTS. 

1.  Q.     Has  the  Lord  ever  given  to  his  people  a  code  of 
laws  or  commandments  for  their  moral  guidance? 


50 

A.    He  gave  a  code  of  ten  commandments  to  his  peo- 
ple in  ancient  times. 

2.  Q.     Did  the  Lord  put  any  preface  to  these  ten  com- 
mandments ? 

A.     Yes,  declaring  that  he  was  the  Lord  God.     Ex. 
XX.  2. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  which  have  brought  thee  out  of  the 
land  of  Egypt,  out  of  the  house  of  bondage." 

3.  Q.     What  does  the  first  commandment  teach  us  ? 
A.     To  worship  no  God  but  the  Lord.     Ex.  xx.  3. 

Repeat  this  commandment. 

"  Thou  Shalt  have  no  other  Gods  before  me." 

4.  Q.     What  does  the  second  commandment  teach  us  ? 
A.     Not  to  worship  any  image  or  the  likeness  of  any 

thing.     Ex.  XX.  4-6. 

Repeat  this  commandment. 

"Thou  Shalt  not  make  unto  thee  any  graven  image,  or  any 
likeness  of  anything  that  is  in  heaven  above,  or  that  is  in  the 
earth  beneath,  or  that  is  in  the  water  under  the  earth:  Thou 
Shalt  not  bow  down  thyself  to  them,  nor  serve  them:  for  I  the 
Lord  thy  God  am  a  jealous  God,  visiting  the  iniquity  of  the 
fathers  upon  the  children  unto  the  third  and  fourth  generation 
of  them  that  hate  me;  And  shewing  mercy  unto  thousands  of 
them  that  love  me,  and  keep  my  commandments." 

5.  Q.     What  does  the  third  commandment  teach  us  ? 
A.     Not  to  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  in  vain.     Ex. 

XX.  7. 

Repeat  this  commandment. 

"  Thou  shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy  God  in  vain; 
for  the  Lord  will  not  hold  him  guiltless  that  taketh  his  name  in 
vain." 

6.  Q.     What  does  the  fourth  commandment  teach  us  ? 
A.     To  keep  holy  the  Sabbath  day.     Ex.  xx.  8-11. 

Repeat  this  commandment. 

"  Remember  the  Sabbath  day,  to  keep  it  holy.  Six  days  shalt 
thou  labor,  and  do  all  thy  work;  but  the  seventh  day  is  the  Sab- 
bath of  the  Lord  thy  God;  in  it  thou  shalt  not  do  any  work, 
thou,  nor  thy  son,  nor  thy  daughter,  thy  man-servant,  nor  thy 
maid-servant,  nor  thy  cattle,  nor  the  stranger  that  is  within  thy 
gates;  For  in  six  days  the  Lord  made  heaven  and  earth,  the 
sea,  and  all  that  in  them  is,  and  rested  on  the  seventh  day; 
wherefore  the  Lord  blessed  the  Sabbath  day,  and  hallowed  it." 


51 

7.  Q.  If  God  commanded  that  the  seventh  day  of  the 
week  should  be  kept  holy  as  the  Sabbath,  how  is  it  that 
people  keep  Sunday,  which  is  the  first  day  of  the  week  ? 

A.  On  the  first  day  of  the  week  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  rose  from  the  dead,  and  appeared  to  his  disciples, 
and  in  honor  or  remembrance  of  his  resurrection  profess- 
ing Christians  keep  that  day,  instead  of  the  seventh,  holy 
as  the  Sabbath.  But  the  Jews,  who  do  not  believe  in 
Christ,  keep  holy  the  seventh  day,  or  Saturday. 

8.  Q.     Which  day  do  the  Latter-day  Saints  keep  holy  ? 
A.     The  first  day  of  the  week. 

9.  Q.     Is  this  in  accordance  with  the  will  of  the  Lord  ? 
A.     Yes.      According   to   the    practice    of   Joseph 

Smith,  the  Prophet,  and  the  revelations  he  received.  Doc- 
trine and  Covenants  xix.  2,  3 ;  xxii.  4 ;  new  edition,  lix. 
9-13;  Ixviii.  29. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"And  that  thou  may  est  more  fully  keep  thyseK  unspotted 
from  the  world,  thou  shalt  go  to  the  house  of  praj^er  and  offer 
up  thy  sacraments  upon  my  holy  day;  for  verily  this  is  a  day 
appointed  unto  you  to  rest  from  your  labors,  and  to  pay  thy  de- 
votions nnto  the  Most  High;  nevertheless  thy  vom'^s  shall  be 
offered  up  in  righteousness  on  all  days,,  and  at  all  times;  but  re- 
member that  on  this  the  Lord's  day,  thou  shalt  offer  thine  obla- 
tions and  thy  sacraments  unto  the  Most  High,  confessing  tliy 
sins  unto  thy  brethren  and  before  the  Lord.  And  on  this  day 
thou  shalt  do  none  other  thing,  only  let  thy  food  be  prepared 
with  singleness  of  heart." 

"  And  the  inhabitants  of  Zion  shall,  also,  observe  tlie  Sabbath 
day  to  keep  it  holy." 

10.  Q.     What  does  the  fifth  commandment  teach  us? 
A.     To  honor  our  parents.     Ex.  xx.  12. 

Repeat  the  commandment. 

"Honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother;  that  thy  days  may  be  long 
upon  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God  giveth  thee. 

11.  Q.  What  do  the  sixth,  seventh,  and  eighth  com- 
mandments teach  us  ? 

A.     Not  to    murder,  commit   adultery,   nor   steal. 
Ex.  XX.  13,  14,  15. 

Repeat  these  three  commandments. 
"  Thou  shalt  not  kill." 
"  Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery." 
"Thou  shalt  not  steal." 

12.  Q,     What  does  the  ninth  commandment  teach  us? 


52 

A.     Not  to  bear  false  witness.     Ex.  xx.  16. 

Repeat  this  coininandment. 

"  Thou  Shalt  not  bear  false  witness  against  thy  neighbor." 

13.  Q.     What  does  the  tenth  coramandmeut  teach  us? 
A.     Not  to  covet  nor  desire  anything  belonging  to 

another  person.     Ex.  xx.  17. 

Repeat  this  commandment. 

"  Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbor's  house,  thou  shalt  not 
covet  thy  neighbor's  wife,  nor  his  man-servant,  nor  his  maid- 
servant, nor  his  ox,  nor  his  ass,  nor  anything  that  is  thy  neigh- 
bor's." 

14.  Q.  Into  how*  many  great  commandments  did  Jesus 
Christ  sum  up  these  ten  ? 

A.  Two — to  love  God,  and  to  love  our  neighbor. 
Matt.  xxii.  36-40. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  Master,  which  is  the  great  commandment  in  the  law?  Jesus 
said  unto  him,  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy 
heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  mind.  This  is  the 
first  and  great  commandment.  And  the  second  is  like  unto  it. 
Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself.  On  these  two  com- 
mandments hang  all  the  law  and  the  prophets." 

15.  Q.     When  were  these  ten  commandments  given  ? 
A.     About  3,300  years  ago. 

16.  Q.     To  what  people  were  they  given  ? 

A.  To  the  twelve  tribes  of  the  children  of  Israel, 
who  descended  from  the  twelve  sons  of  Jacob,  who  was  the 
son  of  Isaac,  who  was  the  son  of  Abraham,  the  father  of 
the  faithful. 

17.  Q.  Who  was  the  leader  of  the  children  of  Israel 
at  this  time  ? 

A.  Moses  was  their  leader  and  President,  and  also 
a  Prophet,  Seer,  and  Revelator. 

18.  Q.  In  what  part  of  the  world  did  God  give  these 
ten  commandments  to  the  children  of  Israel. 

A.     At  Mount  Sinai,  in  Arabia,  in  Asia. 

19.  Q,     How  were  these  commandments  revealed  ? 

A.  The  Lord  came  down  on  Mount  Sinai,  and 
spoke  the  commandments  unto  Moses  and  the  children  of 
Israel. 

20.  Q.  Did  God  give  any  particular  manifestations  of 
his  power  on  this  occasion  ? 


68 

A.  Yes.  He  descended  from  heaven  in  fire  and 
smoke,  and  there  were  thunder  aud  lightning,  and  earth- 
quake, and  the  sound  of  a  trumpet.  Ex.  xix.  16,  18  ;  xx. 
18,  19. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"And  it  came  to  pass  on  the  third  day  in  the  morning,  that 
there  were  thunderings  and  lightnings,  and  a  thick  cloud  upon 
the  mount,  and  the  voice  of  the  trumpet  exceeding  loud;  so  that 
all  the  people  that  was  in  the  camp  trembled.  *  *  *  And 
Mount  Sinai  was  altogetlier  on  a  smoke,  because  the  Lord  de- 
scended upon  it  in  fire;  and  the  smoke  thereof  ascended  as  the 
smoke  of  a  furnace,  and  the  whole  mount  quaked  greatly." 

"And  all  the  people  saw-  the  thunderings,  and  the  lightnings, 
and  the  noise  of  the  trumpet,  and  the  mountain  smoking;  and 
when  the  people  saw  it,  tliey  removed,  and  stood  afar  of.  And 
they  said  unto  Moses,  Speak  thou  with  us,  and  we  will  hear:  but 
let  not  God  speak  with  us,  lest  we  die." 

21.  Q.  When  the  children  of  Israel  said  they  did  not 
wish  the  Lord  to  speak  to  them,  but  with  Moses,  what  oc- 
curred ? 

A.  The  Lord,  through  Moses,  commanded  them  to 
get  into  their  tents  again,  but  Moses  was  to  return  to  the 
Lord  to  receive  further  commandments,  and  statutes,  and 
judgments.     Deut.  v.  28,  30,  31. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"And  the  Lord  said  unto  me,  I  have  heard  the  voice  of  the 
words  of  this  people,  which  they  have  spoken  unto  me.  -■  *  * 
Go  say  to  them,  Get  you  into  your  tents  again.  But  as  for  thee, 
stand  thou  here  by  me,  and  1  will  speak  unto  thee  all  the  com- 
mandments, and  the  statutes,  and  the  judgments,  which  thou 
shalt  teach  them,  that  thej^  may  do  them  in  the  land  which  I 
give  them  to  possess  it." 

22.  Q.  Did  God  give  these  ten  commandments  in  any 
other  way,  while  Moses  was  on  the  mount  ? 

A.  God  wrote  them  on  two  tables  of  stone,  and 
gave  them  to  Moses,  to  teach  the  people.  Deut.  v.  22 ;  ix, 
10. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"And  he  wrote  tliom  in  two  tables  of  stone,  and  delivered 
them  unto  me." 

"And  the  Lord  delivered  unto  me  two  tables  of  stone  written 
with  the  finger  of  God,  and  on  them  was  written  according  to  all 
the  words  which  the  Lord  spake  with  you  in  the  mount  out  of 
the  midst  of  the  fire  in  the  day  of  the  assembly." 

23.  Q.     What  did  Moses  do  then  ? 

E 


54 

A.  He  went  down  from  the  mount,  taking  with 
him  the  tables  of  stone„  and  he  found  that  the  children  of 
Israel  had  made  a  golden  calf  in  his  a]>sence,  and  they 
were  worshipping  it,  and  he  became  angry,  and  broke  the 
two  tables.     Deut.  ix.  15-17. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"So  I  turned  and  came  down  froni^the  mount,  and  the  mount 
burned  with  tire;  and  tlie  two  tables  of  the  covenant  were  in  my 
two  hands.  And  I  looked,  and,  behold,  ye  had  sinned  against 
the  Lord  your  God,  and  had  made  you  a  molten  calf  ;  ye  had 
turned  aside  quickly  out  of  the  way  which  the  Lord  had  com- 
manded you.  And  I  took  the  two  tables,  and  cast  them  out  of 
my  two  hands,  and  brake  them  before  your  eyes." 

24.    Q.     Were  there  any  other  tables  procured  ? 

A.  Moses,  by  command  of  God,  prepared  two  other 
tables,  and  took  them  into  the  mount,  and  God  wrote  the 
commandments  upon  them,  as  upon  the  others.  Deut.  x. 
1-5. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"At  that  time  the  Lord  said  unto  me.  Hew  thee  two  tables  of 
stone  like  unto  the  first,  and  come  up  unto  me  into  the  mount, 
and  make  thee  an  ark  of  wood.  And  I  will  write  on  the  tables 
the  words  that  were  in  the  first  tables  which  thou  breakest,  and 
thou  Shalt  put  them  in  the  ark.  And  I  made  an  ark  of  Shittim 
wood,  and  hewed  two  tables  of  stone  like  unto  the  first,  and 
went  up  into  the  mount,  having  the  two  tables  in  mine  hand. 
And  he  wrote  on  the  tables,  according  to  the  first  writing,  the 
ten  commandments,  which  the  Lord  spake  unto  you  in  the 
mount  out  of  the  midst  of  the  fire  in  the  day  of  the  assembly; 
and  the  Lord  gave  them  unto  me.  And  I  turned  myself  and 
came  down  from  the  mount,  and  put  the  tables  in  the  ark  which 
I  had  made;  and  there  they  be,  as  the  Lord  commanded  me." 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

WORD   OF   WISDOM. 

1.  Q.  Has  God  given  any  particular  revelation  in 
these  last  days  for  the  preservation  of  their  lives  and  health 
to  his  people? 

A.     Yes.     He  gave  a  revelation  to  Joseph  Smith  on 
this  subject. 


55 

2.  Q.  What  was  this  revelation  called? 
A.  A  Word  of  Wisdom. 

3.  Q.  When  was  this  revelation  given  ? 
A.  On  the  27th  of  February,  1833. 

4.  Q.  Where  can  this  Word  of  Wisdom  be  found  ? 

A.  In  the  Book  of  Doctrine  and  Covenants,  Section 
Ixxxi ;  new  edition,  section  Ixxxix. 

5.  Q.  For  what  cause  was  this  Word  of  Wisdom 
given  ? 

A.  In  consequence  of  evil  designs  in  the  hearts  of 
the  wicked. 

6.  Q.  What  does  the  title  of  this  Word  of  Wisdom 
teach  us? 

A.  That  it  was  not  sent  by  commandment,  but  to 
show  forth  the  will  of  God,  and  also  that  the  Word  of 
Wisdom  is  suited  to  the  condition  of  all  Saints,  young  and 
old,  male  and  female,  without  distinction. 

Repeat  this  title. 

"A  Word  of  Wisdom  for  the  benefit  of  the  Council  of  High 
Priests,  assembled  in  Kirtland,  and  Church;  and  also  the  Saints 
in  Zion.  To  be  sent  greeting — not  by  commandment  or  con- 
straint, but  by  revelation  and  the  Word  oi  Wisdom,  showing 
forth  the  order  and  will  of  God  in  the  temporal  salvation  of  the 
Saints  in  the  last  days.  Given  for  a  principle  with  promise, 
adapted  to  the  capacity  of  the  weak  and  the  weakest  of  all  Saints, 
who  are  or  can  be  called  Saints." 

7.  Q.  What  does  the  first  paragraph  or  verse  (new 
edition,  paragraphs  4-9)  of  this  Word  of  Wisdom  teach 
us? 

A.  That  it  is  not  good  to  drink  wine  or  strong 
drinks,  excepting  in  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper, 
and  then  it  should  be  home-made  grape  wine ;  that  it  is  not 
good  to  drink  hot  drinks,  or  chew  or  smoke  tobacco ;  that 
strong  drinks  are  for  the  washing  of  the  body ;  and  that 
tobacco  is  an  herb  for  bruises  and  sick  cattle. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"Behold,  verily,  thus  saith  the  Lord  unto  you,  In  conse- 
quence of  evils  and  designs  which  do  and  will  exist  in  the  hearts 
of  conspiring  men  in  the  last  days,  I  have  warned,  and  forewarn 
you,  by  giving  unto  you  this  word  of  wisdom  by  revelation, 
that  inasmuch  as  any  man  drinketh  wine  or  strong  drink  among 
you,  behold  it  is  not  good,  neither  mete  in  the  sight  of  your 
Father,  only  in  assembling  yourselves  together  to  oflier  up  your 
sacraments  before  him.  And,  behold,  this  should  be  wine,  yea, 
pure  wine  of  the  grape  of  the  vine,  of  your  own  make.     And 


56 

again,  strong  drinks  are  not  for  the  belly,  but  for  the  washing  of 
your  bodies.  And  again,  tobacco  is  not  for  the  body,  neither 
for  the  belly,  and  is  not  good  for  man,  but  is  an  herb  for  bruises 
and  all  sick  cattle,  to  be  used  witli  judgment  and  skill.  And 
again,  hot  drinks  are  not  for  the  body  or  belly." 

8.  Q.  What  does  the  second  paragraph  (new  edition, 
paragraphs  10-15)  teach  us? 

A.  That  herbs  and  fruits  are  for  the  food  of  man  ; 
that  grain  is  for  the  food  of  man,  and  beasts  and  fowls ; 
and  that  flesh  is  not  to  be  eaten  by  man,  excepting  in 
times  of  winter,  cold,  and  famine. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  And  again,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  all  wholesome  herbs  God 
hath  ordained  for  the  constitution,  nature  and  use  of  man. 
Every  herb  in  the  season  thereof,  and  every  fruit  in  the  season 
thereof;  all  these  to  be  used  with  prudence  and  thanksgiving. 
Yea,  flesh  also  of  beasts  and  of  the  fowls  of  the  air,  I,  the  Lord,have 
ordained  for  the  use  of  man,  with  thanksgiving ;  nevertheless 
they  are  to  be  used  sparingly;  and  it  is  pleasing  unto  me  that 
they  should  not  be  used  only  in  times  of  winter,  or  of  cold  or 
famine.  All  grain  is  ordained  for  the  use  of  man  and  of  beasts, 
to  be  the  staff  of  life,  not  only  for  man  but  for  the  beasts  of 
the  field,  and  the  fowls  of  heaven,  and  all  wild  animals  that  run 
or  creep  on  the  earth;  and  these  hath  God  made  for  the  use  of 
man  only  in  times  of  famine  and  excess  of  hunger." 

9.  Q.  What  does  the  third  paragraph  (ne^v  edition, 
paragraphs  16-21)  teach  us? 

A.  That  all  grain  is  good  for  man,  but  more  partic- 
ularly wheat  for  man,  corn  lor  oxen,  oats  for  horses,  rye 
for  fowls  and  beasts,  barley  for  useful  animals  and  for  mild 
drinks  for  man. 

10.  Q.     What  further  does  this  passage  teach  us  ? 

A.  That  those  who  keep  this  Word  of  Wisdom.with 
the  commandments  of  the  Lord,  shall  receive  health  of 
body,  and  great  wisdom  and  knowledge,  and  shall  be  pre- 
served when  the  destroying  angel  shall  go  forth  to  slay  the 
wicked. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  All  grain  is  good  for  the  food  of  man,  as  also  the  fruit  of  the 
vine,  that  whicli  yieldeth  fruit,  whether  in  the  ground  or  above 
the  ground.  Nevertheless,  wheat  for  man,  and  corn  for  the  ox, 
and  oats  for  the  horse,  and  rye  for  fowls  and  for  swine,  and  for 
all  beasts  of  the  field,  and  barley  for  all  useful  animals,  and  for 
mild  drinks,  as  also  other  grain.  And  all  Saints  who  remember 
to  keep  and  do  these  sayings,  walking  in  obedience  to  the  com- 
mandments, shall  receive  health  in  their  navel,  and  marrow  to 
their  bones,  and  shall  find  wisdom  and  great  treasures  of  know- 


57 

ledge  even  hidden  treasures;  and  shall  run  and  not  be  weary, 
and  shall  walk  and  not  faint;  and  I,  the  Lord,  give  unto  them  a 
promise,  that  the  destroying  angel  shall  pass  by  them,  as  the 
children  of  Israel,  and  not  slay  them.    Amen." 

11.  Q.     Why  is  it  not  good  to  drink  wine  or  strong 

drink? 

A.  Because  they  excite  men  unnaturally,  inflame 
their  stomachs,  vitiate  their  appetites,  and  disorder  their 
whole  systems. 

12.  Q.     Why  are  not  hot  drinks  good  for  man  ? 

A.  Because  they  relax  and  weaken  the  stomach, 
and  indeed  the  whole  body. 

13.  Q.     Why  is  it  not  good  to  smoke  or  chew  tobacco  ? 
A,     Because    those    habits    are    very    filthy,  and 

tobacco  is  of  a  poisonous  nature,  and  the  use  of  it  debases 
men. 

14.  Q.  Why  should  flesh  be  eaten  by  man  in  winter, 
and  in  times  of  famine,  and  not  at  other  times? 

A.  Flesh  is  heating  to  the  human  system,  therefore 
it  is  not  good  to  eat  flesh  in  summer;  but  God  allows  his 
people  to  eat  it  in  wmter,  and  in  times  of  famine,  because 
all  animals  suffer  death  naturally,  if  they  do  not  by  the 
hand  of  man. 

15.  Q.  As  the  Lord  has  been  so  good  as  to  give  this 
Word  of  Wisdom  for  the  salvation  of  his  people,  what 
must  he  think  of  those  who  treat  the  word  with  contempt 
or  indifference? 

A.  That  they  despise  his  counsel,  or  at  least  do  not 
appreciate  it  as  they  should. 


CHAPTEK    XVII. 

PRIESXnOOD ORGANIZATION   OF   THE   CHURCH. 

1.  Q.     How  is  the  Church  of  Christ  governed? 
A.     By  the  Holy  Priesthood. 

2.  Q.     Under    how    many   grand   heads   is   the  Holy 
Priesthood  divided? 

A.     Two^he  Melchisedek  Priesthood,  which  is  the 
higher,  and  the  Aaronic  Priesthood,  which  is  the  lesser. 


58 


P.;    /'     P'^';''"^*'  Melchisedek   was  such  a  great  High 

n»T»  '  "".f-^  p  •*"  f"?  *''''  *°°  fr^q^ent  use  of  Jehovah's 
Dame,  as  this  Priesthood  used  to  be  called  after  the  order 

c^i  2-4."'  '""'  """^  Covenants  iii.  1;    new  edition, 

Repeat  the  passage. 

oausTMplohi^i^v'  ""^^^^^  l^^  Melchisedek  Priesthood,  is  be- 
?^Zt  ^Melchisedek  was  such  a  Great  High  Priest.  Before  his 
ofVorf'^Z^^^Yy''^''^^  ^^^'^^hood  aftir  the  ore  er  of  tie  Son 
tS^eB^^nS't""^  '^'/??T  i-^^^erence  to  the  iiame  of  the  sS? 
thP^  tifo  n?'  ^^^^^T^d  the  too  frequent  repetition  of  his  name 

MeTcM^dek^or^hiVri^^^^f^-^  ?^"^^  '^^^  Priesthood  afte^ 
meicniseaek,  or  the  Melchisedek  Priesthood." 

1,^'  9\  J^^^*  P^^^^  a^^  authority  belong  to  the  Mel- 
chisedek Priesthood  ? 

1  +•    ^'^    To  hold  the  right  of  presidency,  to  receive  reve- 
lations from  heaven  for  the  guidance  of  the  Church,  and 
to  hold  the  keys  of  all  its  spiritual    blessings.     Doctrine 
and  Covenants  iii.  3,  9;  new  edition,  cvii.  8,  18,  19. 
Repeat  the  passage. 

anZ^as^owf/frf^^^^r^^?^^^^'^^^^  ^^^  "g^*  ^^  presidency, 
fn  all  noS«!^?  .?  "^  authority  over  all  the  offices  in  tne  Church 
i^-  Tho^  ""^  ^^^  7°^^^'  ^«  administer  in  spiritual  things.  * 
hood  i^  ^f nTi'i^""!^ " i^^"^yp^  ^^^  ^^ghe^  o^  Melchisedek  Priest- 
Chnvnh  ir.^^'^}^^^  ^?^^  ^^  ^11  ^^e  spiritual  blessings  of  the 
MnJdnm  nf  if''^  ^^^  privilege  of  receiving  the  mysterils  of  the 
co2fmune  w?rir~^^  ^'^"^^  "'^  ^^^^^^«  opened  unto  them,  to 
bo?n    «n^  7^       -^^  general  assembly  and  church  of  the  first- 

FathPr^r,i  T^"-^°?v,*\®.''??^"'^'^^''^  ^^^  presence  of  God  the 
J^atner,  and  Jesus  the  Mediator  of  the  new  covenant." 

5.  Q.     What  power  and  authority  belong  to  the  Aaronic 
Priesthood  ? 

A.  To  hold  the  keys  of  the  ministering  of  angels, 
and  to  administer  in  outward  ordinances.  Doctrine  and 
Covenants  iii.  10;  new  edition,  cvii.  20. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"The  power  and  authority  of  the  lesser,  or  Aaronic  Priest- 
Hood  is  to  hold  the  keys  of  the  ministering  of  angels,  and  to  ad- 
minister m  outward  ordinances,  the  letter  of  the  gospel— the 
baptism  of  repentance  for  the  remission  of  sins,  agreeable  to  the 
covenants  and  commandments." 

6.  Q.  Why  is  this  Priesthood  called  the  lesser  Priest- 
hood? 


59 

A.  Because  it  is  an  appendage  to  the  Melchisedek 
Priesthood.  Doctrine  and  Covenants  iii.  8 ;  new  edition, 
cvii.  14. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  Why  it  is  called  the  lesser  priesthood,  is  because  it  is  an  ap- 
pendage to  the  greater  or  the  Melchisedek  Priesthood,  and  has 
power  in  administering  outward  ordinances." 

7.  Q.     Why  is  the  lesser  Priesthood  called  the  Aaronic 
Priesthood  ? 

A.  It  is  called  the  Aaronic  Priesthood,  because  it 
was  conferred  upon  Aaron  and  his  seed  for  ever.  Doctrine 
and  Covenants  iii.  8  ;  new  edition,  cvii.  13. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

*'The  second  priesthood  is  called  the  priesthood  of  Aaron,  be- 
cause it  was  conferred  upon  Aaron  and  his  seed  throughout  all 
their  generations." 

8.  Q.     Why  was  this  Priesthood  called  the  Levitical 
Priesthood? 

A.  Because  the  Lord  chose  the  tribe  of  Levi,  from 
the  children  of  Israel,  to  be  given  to  Aaron,  and  to  his 
sons,  to  ministei-  in  the  outward  ordinances  of  the  Lord's 
house.     Numb.  iii.  5-9. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"And  the  Lord  spake  unto  Moses,  saying:  Bring  the  tribe  of 
Levi  near,  and  present  them  before  Aaron  the  priest,  that  they 
may  minister  unto  him.  And  they  shall  keep  his  charge,  and 
the  charge  of  the  whole  congregation  before  the  tabernacle  of  the 
congregation,  to  do  the  service  of  the  tabernacle.  And  they  shall 
keejD  all  the  instruments  of  the  tabernacle  of  the  congregation, 
and  the  charge  of  the  children  of  Israel,  to  do  the  service  of  the 
tabernacle.  And  thou  shalt  give  the  Levites  unto  Aaron  and  to 
his  sons;  they  aj'e  wholly  given  unto  him  out  of  the  children  of 
Israel." 

9.  Q.  Why  did  the  Lord  choose  the  Levites  to  minis- 
ter before  him? 

A.  He  chose  the  Levites  to  minister  betore  him 
instead  of  the  first-born  among  the  children  of  Israel,  for 
he  had  previously  chosen  the  first-born  of  Israel  for  that 
purpose.     Numb.  iii.  11-13. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"And  the  Lord  spake  unto  Moses,  saying.  And  I,  behold,  I 
have  taken  the  Levites  from  among  the  children  of  Israel  instead 
of  all  the  first-bom  that  openeth  the  matrix  among  the  children 


60 

of  Israel:  therefore  the  Levites  shaU  be  mine;  Because  all  the 

?nfhp'?^n^''''.'f"l^''^'  /T  ^".J^^  ^^y  "^^^  I  smot4  all  the  first-born 
in  the  land  of  I^gypt  I  hallowed  unto  me  all  the  first-born  in 
Israel,  both  man  and  beast;  mine  shaU  they  be:  I  am  the  Lord." 

.  V^\  H:  ^^^^  ^^^^^  ^o®s  the  Melchisedek  Priesthood 
include  ? 

^  .  ^'  AP^^^I®'  Seventy,  Patriarch  or  Evangelist,  Hiffh 
Priest,  and  Elder.  ^ 

11.  Q.     What  is  the  duty  of  an  Apostle? 

_  A.  To  be  a  special  witness  of  the  name  of  Christ, 
to  build  up,  organize,  and  preside  over  the  Church,  and  to 
administer  in  all  its  ordinances  and  blessings. 

12.  Q.     What  is  the  duty  of  a  Patriarch  ? 

^  A.     It  is  the  duty  ofa  Patriarch  to  bless  the  fatherless 

m  the  Church,  foretelling  what  shall  befall  them  and  their 
generation.  He  also  holds  authority  to  administer  in  the 
other  ordinances  of  the  Church.  Doctrine  and  Covenants 
cm.  38 ;  new  edition,  cxxiv.  124. 

Kepeat  the  passage. 

"To  be  a  patriarch  unto  you,  to  hold  the  sealing  blessings  of 
my  church,  even  the  Holy  Spirit  of  promise,  whereby  yl  are 
sealed  up  unto  the  day  of  redemption,  that  ye  may  not  fail,  not- 
withstandmg  the  hour  of  temptation  that  may  come  upon  you." 

13.  Q.     Why  does  the  Patriarch  bless  the  Saints? 

A.  That  they  may  ever  be  reminded  of  the  bless- 
ings within  their  reach,  and  be  stimulated  to  constant  faith 
and  diligence  in  striving  after  them,  and  so  endure  to  the 
end,  and  inherit  the  promises  of  the  Lord. 

14.  Q.     What  is  the  duty  of  a  Seventy  ? 

A.  To  travel  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the 
Gospel,  and  administer  in  its  ordinances  and  blessings. 
Doctrine  and  Covenants  iii.  13,  43 ;  new  edition,  cvii.  34, 
35,  97,  98. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  The  seventy  are  to  act  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  under  the 
du-ectionof  the  twelve  or  the  traveling  high  council,  in  buHding 
up  the  church  and  regulating  all  the  affairs  of  the  same  in  all 
nations— first  unto  the  Gentiles  and  then  to  the  Jews;  the  twelve 
bemg  sent  out,  holding  the  keys,  to  open  the  door  by  the  pro- 
^amation  of  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ— and  first  unto  the 
Gentiles  and  then  unto  the  Jews.  *  »  *  And  these  seventy 
are  to  be  traveling  ministers  unto  the  Gentiles  first,  and  also  unto 
the  Jews;  whereas  other  officers  of  the  church,  who  belong  not 
unto  the  twelve,  neither  to  the  seventy,  are  not  under  the  re- 
sponsibility to  travel  among  all  nations,  but  are  to  travel  as  their 


61 

circumstances  shall  allow,  notwithstanding  they  may  hold  as 
high  and  responsible  offices  in  the  Church." 

15.  Q.     What  is  the  duty  of  a  High  Priest? 

A,  To  administer  iu  the  ordinances  and  blessings 
of  the  Church,  but  his  special  duty  is  to  preside.  Doctrine 
and  Covenants  iii.  5;  ciii.  42  ;  new  edition,  cvii.  10  ;  cxxiv. 
134,  135. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

*'  High  priests  after  the  order  of  the  Melchisedek  priesthood, 
have  a  right  to  otficiate  in  their  own  standing,  under  the  direction 
of  the  presidency,  in  administering  spiritual  things;  and  also  in 
the  office  of  an  elder,  priest  (of  the  Levitical  order),  teacher, 
deacon,  and  member." 

"Who  shall  be  appointed  standing  presidents  or  servants  over 
different  stakes  scattered  abroad,  and  they  may  travel  also  if 
thev  choose,  but  rather  be  ordained  for  standing  presidents;  this 
is  the  office  of  their  calling,  saith  the  Lord  your  God." 

16.  Q.     What  are  all  the  officers  in  the  Melchisedek 
Priesthood  ciUed? 

A.     They  are  called  Elders. 
;"  17.  Q.     What  is  the  duty  of  an  Elder? 

A.  To  preach  and  baptize ;  to  ordain  other  Elders, 
and  also  Priests,  Teachers  and  Deacons ;  to  administer  the 
Lord's  Supper ;  to  lay  on  hands  for  the  Gift  of  the  Holy 
Ghost ;  to  bless  children  ;  and  to  take  the  lead  of  all 
meetings.  Doctrine  and  Covenants  ii.  8,  9,  19;  iii.  6,  7; 
new  edition,  xx.  38-45,  70;  cvii.  11,  12. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

*'  It  is  his  calling  to  baptize  and  to  ordain  other  elders,  priests* 
teachers,  and  deacons,  and  to  administer  bread  and  wine — the 
emblems  of  the  flesh  and  blood  of  Christ — and  to  confirm  those 
who  are  baptized  into  the  church,  by  the  laying  on  of  hands  for 
the  baptism  of  fire  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  according  to  the  scrip- 
tures; and  to  teach,  expound,  exhort,  baptize  and  watch  over  the 
church;  and  to  confirm  the  church  by  the  laying  on  of  the  hands, 
and  the  giving  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  to  take  the  lead  of  all 
meetings.  The  elders  are  to  conduct  the  meetings  as  they  are 
led  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  according  to  the  commandments  and  re- 
velations of  God.  '•  *  =■  Every  member  of  the  Church  of 
Christ  having  children,  is  to  bring  them  unto  the  Elders  before 
the  Church,  who  are  to  lay  their  hands  upon  them  in  the  name 
of  Jesus  Christ,  and  bless  them  in  his  name." 

"An  elder  has  a  right  to  officiate  in  his  stead  when  the  high 
priest  is  not  present.  The  high  priest  and  elder  are  to  administer 
in  spiritual  things,  agreeable  to  the  covenants  and  command- 
ments of  the  church;  and  they  have  a  right  to  officiate  in  all 
these  offices  of  the  church  when  there  are  no  higher  authorities 
present." 


62 

18.  Q.     What  offices  does  the  Aaronic  Priesthood  in- 
clude? 

A.     Bishop,  Priest,  Teacher  and  Deacon. 

19.  Q.     What  is  the  duty  of  a  Bishop  ? 

^  A,  To  preside  over  all  the  lesser  offices  of  the  Aaron- 
ic Priesthood,  to  minister  in  outward  ordinances,  to  con- 
duct the  temporal  business  of  the  Church,  and  to  sit  as  a 
judge  on  transgressors.  Doctrine  and  Covenants  iii.  32, 
33 ;  new  edition,  cvii.  68,  72,  74. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"The  office  of  a  bishop  is  in  administering  all  temporal  things; 
*  ■='■  *-  also  to  be  a  judge  in  Israel,  to  do  the  business  of  the 
church,  to  sit  in  judgment  upon  transgressors,  upon  testimony 
as  it  shall  be  laid  before  him  according  to  the  laws.  *  *  * 
Thus  shall  he  be  a  judge,  even  a  common  judge  among  the  in- 
habitants of  Zion,  or  in  a  stake  of  Zion,  or  in  any  branch  of  the 
church  where  he  shall  be  set  apart  unto  this  ministry." 

20.  Q.     Whatistheduty  of  aPriest? 

A.  To  preach,  baptize,  administer  the  Sacrament 
of  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  visit  and  exhort  the  Saints. 
Doctrine  and  Covenants  ii.  10 ;  new  edition,  xx.  46-52. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"The  priest's  duty  is  to  preach,  teach,  expound,  exhort,  and 
baptize,  and  administer  the  sacrament,  and  visit  the  house  of 
each  member,  and  exhort  them  to  pray  vocally  and  in  secret, 
and  attend  to  all  family  duties:  and  he  may  also  ordain  other 
priests,  teachers  and  deacons.  And  he  is  to  take  the  lead  of 
meetings  when  there  is  no  elder  present;  but  w^hen  there  is  an 
elder  present,  he  is  only  to  preach,  teach,  expound,  exhort,  and 
baptize,  and  visit  the  house  of  each  member,  exhorting  them  to 
pray  vocally  and  in  secret,  and  attend  to  all  family  duties.  In 
all  these  duties  the  priest  is  to  assist  the  elder  if  occasion  re- 
quires." 

21.  Q.     What  are  the  duties  of  a  Teacher  and  Deacon^? 
A.     The  duty  of  a  Teacher  is  to  watch  over  and 

strengthen  the  Church,  and  to  see  that  the  Saints  live  in 
love  and  union,  and  do  their  duty.  The  duty  of  a  Dea- 
con is  to  assist  the  Teacher  in  his  duties,  and  to  attend  to 
the  comfort  of  the  Saints.  Doctrine  and  Covenants  ii.  11 ; 
new  edition,  xx.  53-59. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  The  teacher's  duty  is  to  watch  over  the  church  always,  and 
be  with  and  strengthen  them,  and  see  that  there  is  no  iniquity  in 
the  church — neither  hardness  with  each  other — neither  lying, 
backbiting,  nor  evil-speaking;  and  see  that  the  church  meet  to- 


63 

gether  often,  and  also  see  that  all  the  members  do  their  duty: 
and  he  is  to  take  the  lead  of  meetings  in  the  absence  of  the  elder 
or  priest — and  is  to  be  assisted  always,  in  all  his  duties  in  the 
church,  by  the  deacons,  if  occasion  requires;  but  neither  teachers 
nor  deacons  have  authority  to  baptize,  administer  the  sacrament, 
or  lav  on  hands;  they  are,  however,  to  warn,  expound,  exhort, 
and  teach,  and  invite  all  to  come  unto  Christ." 

22.  Q.     How  is  the  Priesthood  conferred  on  man  ? 
A.     By  ordination. 

23.  Q.     How  are  men  ordained  to  the  Priesthood  ? 

A.  Those  who  hold  the  Priesthood  ordain  others  to 
it,  according  to  the  gifts  and  callings  of  God  unto  them ; 
and  they  are  ordained  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
through  the  laying  on  of  hands.  Doctrine  and  Covenants 
ii.  12;  new  edition,  xx.  60.  Book  of  Mormon,  Moroni 
iii.  1. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"  Every  elder,  priest,  teacher,  or  deacon,  is  to  be  ordained  ac- 
cordmg  to  the  gifts  and  callings  of  God  unto  him;  and  he  is  to 
be  ordained  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  is  in  the  one 
who  ordains  him." 

"The  manner  which  the  disciples,  who  were  called  the  elders 
of  the  church,  ordained  priests  and  teachers.  After  they  had 
prayed  unto  the  Father  in  the  name  of  Christ,  they  laid  their 
hands  upon  them,  and  said.  In  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  I  ordain 
you  to  be  a  priest,  (or,  if  he  be  a  teacher;  I  ordain  you  to  be  a 
teacher,)  to  preach  repentance  and  remission  of  sfns  through 
Jesus  Christ,  by  the  endurance  of  faith  on  his  name  to  the  end. 
Amen.  And  after  this  manner  did  they  ordain  priests  and 
teachers,  according  to  the  gifts  and  callings  of  God  unto  men; 
and  they  ordained  them  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which 
was  in  them." 

24.  Q.     Can  any  man  take  the  Priesthood  to  himself? 
A.     No  man  can  hold  the  Priesthood  unless  he  is 

called  of  God,  through  one  who  holds  it.  Heb.  v.  4. 
Doctrine  and  Covenants  xiii.  4;  new  edition,  xlii.  11. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"And  no  man  taketh  this  honor  unto  himself,  but  he  that 
is  called  of  God  as  was  Aaron." 

"Again,  I  say  unto  you,  that  it  shall  not  be  given  to  any  one 
to  go  forth  to  preach  my  gospel,  or  to  build  up  my  church,  ex- 
cept he  be  ordained  by  some  one  who  has  authority,  and  it  is 
known  to  the  church  that  he  has  authority,  and  has  been  re- 
gularly ordained  by  the  heads  of  the  church." 

25.  Q,     From  whence  is  the  Holy  Priesthood  given  in 
the  first  instance  ? 

A.     Direct  from  heaven. 


64 

26.  Q.     Is  there  any  great  general  principle  connected 
with  ordination? 

A.  Yes.  Any  man  who  holds  an  office  in  the 
Priesthood,  can  ordain  others  to  the  same,  or  to  any  in- 
ferior office,  but  not  to  any  superior  office. 

27.  Q.     Is  there  any  great  general  principle  connected 
with  the  ministration  of  the  Priesthood  ? 

A.  Yes.  A  man  who  holds  an  office  in  the  Priest- 
hood, can  minister  in  his  own  office,  or  in  any  inferior 
office,  but  not  in  any  superior  office. 

28.  Q.     Are  the  different  offices  in  the  Priesthood  par- 
ticularly organized  ? 

A.  Yes.  They  are  organized  into  various  quorums 
for  the  efficient  and  harmonious  performance  of  their 
duties  in  the  Church. 

29.  Q.     What  are  the  various  quorums  in  the  Church? 
A.     The  First  Presidency,  the  Twelve  Apostles,  the 

High  Council,  the  Seventies,  the  High  Priests,  the  Elders, 
the  Priests,  the  Teachers,  and  the  Deacons. 

30.  Q.     What  is  the  First  Presidency  ? 

A.  Three,  chosen  from  those  who  hold  the  High 
Priesthood  and  Apostleship,  to  preside  over,  and  direct  the 
affairs  of,  the  whole  Church.  This  quorum  consists  of  a 
President  of  the  office  of  the  High  Priesthood,  and  two 
Counselors.  The  duty  of  this  President  is  to  preside  over 
the  whole  Church,  and  to  be  a  Seer,  a  Revelator,  a  Trans- 
lator, and  a  Prophet.  Doctrine  and  Covenants  iii.  11,  42 ; 
new  edition,  cvii.  22,  91,  92. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"Of  the  Melchisedek  Priesthood,  three  presiding  high  priests, 
chosen  by  the  body,  appointed  and  ordained  to  that  office,  and 
upheld  by  the  confidence,  faith,  and  prayer  of  the  church,  form 
a  quorum  of  the  presidency  of  the  church.  *  *  *  And  again, 
the  duty  of  the  president  of  the  office  of  the  high  priesthood  is  to 
preside  over  the  whole  church,  and  to  be  like  unto  Moses.  Be- 
hold, hei"e  is  wisdom;  yea,  to  be  a  seer,  a  revelator,  a  translator, 
and  a  prophet,  having  all  the  gifts  of  God  which  he  bestows  upon 
the  head  of  the  Church." 

31.  Q.     Who  was  the  first  President  of  the  Church  ? 
A.     Joseph  Smith,  the  Prophet. 

32.  Q.     Who  were  his  Counselors? 

A.  Sidney  Rigdon  and  Frederick  G.  Williams. 
The  latter  was  dismissed  and  Hyrum  Smith  was  appointed 
in  his  place,  and  so  continued  until  he  was  ordained  Pre- 


66 

siding    Patriarch,    when    William    Law    was    appointed 
Counselor,  and  he  apostatized. 

33.  Q.     Who  are  the  First  Presidency  of  the  Church? 
A.     Brigham   Young,  President ;  John  W.  Young 

and  Daniel  H.  Wells,  Counselors. 

34.  Q.     Who  is  the  Presiding  Patriarch  ? 

A.  John  Smith,  eldest  son  of  Hyrum  Smith,  the 
Patriarch. 

35.  Q.     What  are  the  Twelve  Apostles  ? 

A.  They  are  organized  as  a  Traveling  Presiding 
High  Council,  to  build  up  the  Church,  and  regulate  its 
affairs,  in  all  the  world,  under  the  direction  of  the  First 
Presidency  of  the  Church.  Doctrine  and  Covenants  iii. 
11,  12,  17 ;  new  edition,  cvii.  23,  33,  39. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  The  twt^ve  traveling  counselors  are  called  to  be  the  twelve 
apostles,  or  special  witnesses  of  tlie  name  of  Christ  in  all  the 
world;  thus  differing  from  other  officers  in  the  church  in  the 
duties  of  their  calling.  *  *  *  The  twelve  are  a  traveling  pre- 
siding high  council,  to  officiate  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  under 
the  direction  of  the  presidency  of  the  church,  agreeable  to  the 
institution  of  heaven;  to  build  up  the  church,  and  regulate  all 
the  affairs  of  the  same  in  all  nations;  first  unto  the  Gentiles,  and 
secondly  unto  the  Jews.  *  *  ^"  It  is  the  duty  of  the  twelve,  in 
all  large  branches  of  the  church,  to  ordain  evangelical  ministers, 
as  they  shall  be  designated  unto  them  by  revelation." 

36.  Q.  Who  constitute  the  present  Quorum  of  the 
Twelve  Apostles  ? 

A.  John  Taylor,  President;  Wilford  Woodruff, 
Orson  Hyde,  Orson  Pratt,  sen.,  Charles  C.  Kich,  Lorenzo 
Snow,  Erastus  Snow,  Franklin  D.  Richards,  George  Q. 
Cannon,  Brigham  Young,  Jr.,  Joseph  F.  Smith,  and 
Albert  Carrington. 

37.  Q.  Of  what  does  the  High  Council  consist,  and 
what  are  its  duties  ? 

A.  The  High  Council  consists  of  Twelve  High 
Priests,  and  is  set  apart  for  the  purpose  of  settling  import- 
ant difficulties  which  may  arise  in  the  Church.  There  is 
a  High  Council  in  every  Stake  of  Zion.  Doctrine  and 
Covenants  v.  1 ;  new  edition,  cii.  2. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"The  high  council  was  appointed  by  revelation  forthe  purpose 
of  settling  important  difficulties  which  might  arise  in  the  church, 
which  could  not  bo  seiiled  bj'-  the  church  or  the  bishops'  council 
to  the  satisfaction  of  the  parties." 


66 

38.  Q.     How  are  the  Seventies  organized  ? 

A.  Into  quorums  of  seventy  Elders  each,  from 
which  number  seven  are  chosen  to  preside.  The  seven 
Presidents  of  the  first  quorum  of  Seventies  preside  over 
all  the  quorums.  Doctrine  and  Covenants  iii.  43;  new 
edition,  cvii.  93-96. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"  And  it  is  according  to  the  vision  showing  the  order  of  tlie 
seventy,  that  they  should  have  seven  presidents  to  preside  over 
them,  chosen  out  of  the  number  of  the  seventy;  and  the  seventh 
president  of  these  presidents  is  to  preside  over  the  six;  and  these 
seven  presidents  are  to  choose  other  seventy  besides  the  first 
seventy,  to  whom  they  belong,  and  are  to  preside  over  them;  and 
also  other  seventy,  until  seven  times  seventy,  if  the  labor  in  the 
vineyard  of  necessity  require  it." 

39.  Q.  Who  are  the  present  seven  Presidents  of  the 
first  quorum  of  Seventies? 

A.  Joseph  Young,  Levi  W.  Hancock,  Henry  Her- 
riman,  Albert  P.  Rockwood,  Horace  S.  Eldredge,  Jacob 
Gates,  and  John  Van  Cott. 

40.  Q.  Do  the  High  Priests,  Elders,  Priests,  Teachers 
and  Deacons  constitute  separate  quorums,  with  their  re- 
spective Presidency  ? 

A.  Yes.  In  each  Stake  of  Zion  the  High  Priests 
constitute  a  quorum  without  respect  to  number.  Also  in 
each  Stake  of  Zion  a  quorum  of  Elders  numbers  ninety-six, 
a  quorum  of  Priests  forty-eight,  a  quorum  of  Teachers 
twenty-four,  and  a  quorum  of  Deacons  twelve.  Each  of 
these  quorums  has  its  President  and  two  Counselors. 

41.  Q.  What  is  the  Presidency  of  the  Aaronic  Priest- 
hood? 

A.  The  Bishopric.  Doctrine  and  Covenants  iii.  8; 
new  edition,  cvii.  15. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

*'  The  bishopric  is  the  presidency  of  this  priesthood,  and  holds 
the  keys  of  authority  of  the  same.'' 

42.  Q.     Who  has  a  legal  right  to  this  office  ? 

A.  No  one,  except  he  be  a  literal  descendant  of 
Aaron.  Doctrine  and  Covenants  iii.  8,  32;  xxii.  2;  new 
edition,  cvii.  16,  70;  Ixviii.  16-18. 

Repeat  the  passages. 

"No  man  has  a  legal  right  to  this  office,  to  hold  the  keys  of 


67 

this  priesthood,  except  he  be  a  literal  descendant  of  Aaron.  * 
-»  *  For  unless  he  is  a  literal  descendant  of  Aaron  he  cannoi 
hold  the  keys  of  that  priesthood." 

"If  they  be  literal  descendants  of  Aaron  thej*  have  a  legal  right 
to  the  bishopric,  if  they  are  the  first-born  among  the  sons  of 
Aaron  ;  for  the  first-born  holds  the  right  of  the  Presidency  over 
this  priesthood,  and  the  keys  or  authority  of  the  same.  No  man 
has  a  legal  right  to  this  ofiice  to  hold  the  keys  of  this  priesthood, 
except  he  be  a  literal  descendant  and  first-born  of  Aaron." 

43.  Q.  By  whom  must  a  literal  descendant  of  Aaron 
be  ordained  to  the  Bishopric  ? 

A.  By  the  presidency  of  the  Melchisedek  Priest- 
hood. Doctrine  and  Covenants  xxii.  2;  new  edition,  Ixviii. 
20,  21. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"And  a  literal  descendant  of  Aaron,  also,  must  be  designated 
by  this  presidency,  and  found  Avorthy  and  anointed,  and  ordained 
under  the  hands  of  this  presidency,  otherwise  they  are  not  legally 
authorized  to  officiate  in  their  priesthood  ;  but  by  virtue  of  the 
decree  concerning  their  right  of  the  priesthood  descending  from 
father  to  son,  they  may  claim  their  anointing,  if  at  any  time 
they  can  prove  their  lineage,  or  do  ascertain  it  by  revelation  from 
the  Lord  under  the  hands  of  the  above  named  presidency." 

44.  Q.  When  no  literal  descendant  of  Aaron  can  be 
found,  how  is  the  office  of    a  Bishop  filled  ? 

A.  A  High  Priest  of  the  Melchisedek  Priesthood, 
having  authority  to  othciate  in  the  lesser  Priesthood,  can 
fill  the  office  of  a  Bishop,  but  he  must  be  ordained  and  set 
apart  by  the  Presidency  of  the  Melchisedek  Priesthood. 
Doctrine  and  Covenants  iii.  8  ;  new  edition,  cvii.  17. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"But  as  a  high  priest  of  the  Melchisedek  priesthood  has  au- 
thority to  officiate  in  all  the  lesser  offices,  he  may  officiate  in  the 
ofiice  of  bishop  when  no  literal  descendant  of  Aaron  can  be  found, 
provided  he  is  called  and  set  apart  and  ordained  unto  this  power 
by  the  hands  of  the  presidency  of  the  Melchisedek  priesthood." 

45.  Q.  AVhat  difference  exists  between  the  authority  of 
a  Bishop  from  the  High  Priesthood,  and  that  of  a  Bishop 
who  is  a  literal  descendant  of  Aaron  ? 

A.  A  Bishop  from  the  High  Priesthood  can  act  in 
the  Bishop's  office,  with  the  assistance  of  Counselors ;  a 
Bishop  who  is  a  literal  descendant  of  Aaron  can  act  indepen- 
dently, without  Counselors,  except  on  the  trial  of  a  Presi- 
dent of  the  High  Priesthood  of  Melchisedek.  Doctrine 
and  Covenants  iii.  32,  34;  new  edition,  cvii.  71-73,  76. 


68 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"Nevertheless,  a  high  priest  that  isafter  the  order  of  Melchis- 
edek,  may  be  set  apart  unto  the  administering  of  temporal  things, 
having  a  knowledge  of  them  by  the  spirit  of  truth,  and  also  to 
be  a  judge  in  Israel,  to  do  the  business  of  the  church,  to  sit  in 
judgment  upon  transgressors,  upon  the  testimony  as  it  shall  be 
laid  before  him  according  to  the  laws,  by  the  assistance  of  his 
counselors  whom  he  has  chosen,  or  will  choose  among  the  elders 
of  the  church.  This  is  the  duty  of  a  bishop  who  is  a  literal 
descendant  of  Aaron,  but  has  been  ordained  to  the  high  priest- 
hood after  the  order  of  Melchisedek  *  *  *  -■■  But  a  literal 
descendant  of  Aaron  has  a  legal  right  to  the  presidency  of  this 
priesthood,  to  the  keys  of  this  ministry,  to  act  in  the  office  of 
bishop  independently,  without  counselors,  except  in  a  case  where 
a  president  of  the  high  priesthood,  after  the  order  of  Melchis- 
edek, is  tried,  to  sit  as  a  judge  in  Israel." 

46.   Q.     Who   at   present   presides    over    the    Aaronic 
Prieshood  in  the  Church. 

A.     Edward  Hunter  is  now  the  Presiding  Bishop  in 
the  church. 


CHAPTER    XVIH. 

DISPENSATION   OF   THE   FULLNESS  OF   TIMES. 

1.  Q.     What  are  we  to  understand  by  a  dispensation, 
in  connection  with  the  work  of  God  ? 

A.  The  opening  of  the  heavens  to  man,  the  bestow- 
ing of  the  Holy  Priesthood  with  all  its  powers  upon  them, 
and  the  organization  and  building  up  of  the  Church  of 
Christ  upon  the  earth,  for  the  salvation  of  all  who  will 
obey  the  Gospel. 

2.  Q.     Have  many   dispensations   been   given  to  man 
since  the  fall  ? 

A,     Yes,  very  many. 

3.  Q.     Name  a  few  of  the  principal. 

A.  One  was  opened  through  Adam,  who  blessed  his 
posterity,  and  told  thera  what  should  befall  them  to  the 
latest  generation ;  one  through  Enoch,  who,  with  his  peo- 
ple, was  translated  without  seeing  death ;  one  through 
Noah,  who,  with  his  family,  was  saved  in  an  ark  when  the 
world   was  drowned ;   one  through  the  brother  of  Jared, 


69 

when  he  and  his  friendes  were  led  from  the  Tower  of  Babel 
to  America ;  one  through  Abraham,  God  promising  to  him 
and  his  seed  the  land  of  Canaan  for  an  everlasting  inheri- 
tance ;  one  through  Jacob,  the  father  of  the  Twelve  Tribes 
of  Israel ;  one  through  Moses,  who  led  the  Children  of 
Israel  from  the  land  of  Egypt  to  the  land  of  Canaan ;  one 
through  Lehi,  when  he,  with  his  family,  went  from  Jeru- 
salem to  America;  one  through  Jesus  Christ,  when  he 
established  his  Church  in  Asia  and  America,  and  was 
crucified  at  Jerusalem ;  and  one  through  Joseph  Smith  in 
these  last  days. 

4.  Q.     Which  is  the  greatest  dispensation  ? 

A.  The  Dispensation  of  the  Fullness  of  Times, 
opened  through  Joseph  Smith. 

5.  Q.     Why  is  this  called  the  Dispensation  of  the  Full- 
ness of  Times  ? 

A.  Because  it  is  the  last  dispensation  of  God  to 
man,  in  which  the  fullness  of  truth  will  be  revealed  for  the 
salvation  and  exaltation  of  the  human  family. 

6.  Q.     When   and  how     was   this   dispensation    com- 
menced ? 

A.  About  the  year  1820,  whilst  Joseph  Smith,  who 
then  lived  at  Manchester,  Ontario  County,  New  York, 
was  praying  to  the  Lord  to  teach  him  the  true  religion,  a 
vision  of  the  heavens  opened  unto  him,  two  glorious  per- 
sons descended  towards  him,  and  one,  pointing  to  the  other, 
said,  ''This  is  my  beloved  Son,  hear  him." 

7.  Q.     AVho  were  these  two  persons  ? 

A.     God,  the  Father,  and  his  Son  Jesus  Christ. 

8.  Q.     What   instruction  did  Joseph  Smith  receive  at 
this  time? 

A.  He  was  told  that  all  the  religious  societies  on  the 
earth  were  teaching  incorrect  doctrines,  and  that  he  must 
join  none  of  them. 

9.  Q.     Did  he  receive  any  further  revelations  from  God  ? 
A.     Yes.     On  the  night  of  the  21st  of  September, 

1823,  the  angel  Moroni  appeared  to  him  three  times,  giving 
him  much  instruction,  and  informing  him  that  God  had  a 
work  for  him  to  do,  which  should  cause  his  name  to  be 
good  and  evil  spoken  of  among  all  people,  also  that  a 
record,  written  upon  gold  plates,  ai^d  giving  an  account  of 
the  ancient  inhabitants  of  America,  and  the  dealings  of 
God  with  them,  was  deposited  in  a  particular  place  in  the 

F 


70 

earth,  and  with  the  record,  two  stones  in  silver  botrs,  which 
were  anciently  called  the  Urim  and  Thummim,  and  by 
which  God  revealed  intelligence  to  his  people. 

10.  Q.     Was   Joseph   Smith  favored   with   any   other 
revelation? 

A.  Whilst  in  the  field  the  next  day,  the  angel  again 
appeared  to  him,  commanding  him  to  tell  his  vision,  and 
the  commandments  he  had  received,  to  his  father. 

11.  Q,     Bid  Joseph  Smith  do  this? 

A.  Yes,  and  his  father  told  him  he  must  d^  as  the 
angel  had  directed,  as  it  was  of  God.  Joseph  consequently 
went  to  the  place  where  the  plates  wore  hid,  and  found 
them  in  a  stone  box,  hid  in  a  hill  which  the  Nephites  cal- 
led Cumorah.  He  raised  the  stone,  saw  the  plates,  the 
Urim  and  Thummim,  and  the-  breastplate,  and  made  an 
attempt  to  take  them  out,  but  the  angel  appeared  again 
unto  him,  and  told  him  the  time  was  not  come,  but  would 
be  four  years  longer.  He  was  also  informed  that  he  must 
go  to  the  place  once  a  year,  until  the  time  appointed,  and 
the  angel  would  meet  him  there.  This  Joseph  Smith  did, 
and  he  received  instruction  each  time. 

12.  §.     What  occured  at  the  end  of  the  four  years? 
A.     On  the  22d  of  September,  1827,  the  angel  placed 

in  his  hands  the  Plates,  the  Urim  and  Thummim,  and  the 
breastplate,  charging  him  to  keep  them  safe.  The  plates 
were  near  eight  inches  long  by  seven  wide,  and  a  little 
thinner  than  ordinary  tin,  and  were  bound  together  by 
three  rings,  running  through  the  whole.  The  plates  alto- 
gether were  about  six  inches  thick,  and  were  neatly  en- 
graved on  each  side  with  hieroglyphics,  in  a  language  cal- 
led the  Reformed  Egyptian,  not  then  known  on  the  earth. 

13.  Q.     What  did  Joseph  Smith  do  with  the  plates  ? 
A.     He  translated   them   by   the   power   of    God, 

through  the  Urim  and  Thummim,  enduring  much  persecu- 
tion at  the  time,  from  religious  people,  who  said  he  was  au 
impostor. 

14.  Q.     Did  any  other  person  see  these  plates  ? 

A.  The  Lord,  by  a  heavenly  messenger,  showed  the 
plates  to  three  witnesses,  and  Joseph  Smith  showed  the 
plates  by  commandment  to  eight  witnesses.  The  transla- 
tion was  printed  in  the  year  1830,  and  called  the  Book  of 
Mormon.  The  testimony  of  these  eleven  witnesses  was 
also  printed  with  it. 


n 

I^epeo:  their  toTtiirsony. 

''Tne  testimony  of  three  witnesses:  Be  it  known  uoto  all  na« 
tlons,  kindrediJ,  tongues,  and  people  unto  whom  this  work  shall 
come,  that  we,  thiough  the  grace  of  God  the  Father,  and  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  have  seen  the  plates  which  contain  tliis  record, 
which  is  the  record  of  the  people  of  Nephi,  and  also  of  the  Lam- 
anites,  their  brethren,  and  also  of  the  people  of  Jared,  who  came 
from  the  tower  of  which  hath  been  spoken  ;  and  we  also  know 
that  they  have  been  translated  by  the  gift  and  xDower  of  God,  for 
his  voice  hath  declared  it  unto  us  ;  wherefore  we  know  of  a  surety 
that  the  work  is  true.  And  we  also  testify  that  we  have  seen  the 
engravings  which  are  upon  the  plates  ;  and  they  have  been  shewn 
unto  us  by  the  power  ot  God  and  not  of  man.  And  we  declare  with 
words  of  soberness,  that  an  angel  of  God  came  down  from  heaven, 
and  he  brought  and  laid  before  our  eyes,  that  we  beheld  and  saw 
the  plates,  and  the  engravings  thereon  ;  and  we  know  thatitis  by 
the  grace  of  God  the  leather,  and  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  that  we 
belield  and  bear  record  that  these  things  are  true  ;  and  it  is  mar- 
vellous in  our  eyes,  nevertheless  the  voice  of  the  Lord  command- 
ed us  that  we  snouid  bear  record  of  it ;  wiierefore,  to  be  obedient 
unto  the  commanaments  of  God,  we  bear  testimony  of  these 
things.  And  we  know  that  if  we  are  faithful  in  Christ,  we  shall 
rid  our  garments  of  tiie  blood  of  all  men,  and  be  found  spotless 
before  tiie  judgment  seat  of  Christ,  and  shall  dwell  with  him 
eternally  in  the  heavens.  And  the  honor  be  to  the  Father,  and 
to  the  Son,  and  to  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  is  one  God.     Amen. 

"Oliver  Cowdery,  David  Whitmer,  Martin  Harris.'' 

^^And  also  the  testimony  of  eight  witnesses  :  Be  it  known  unto 
all  nations,  kindreds,  tongues,  and  people  unto  whom  this  work 
shall  come,  that  Joseph  Smith,  jun.,  the  translator  of  this  work, 
has  shewn  unto  us  the  plates  of  which  hath  been  spoken,  which 
have  the  appearance  of  gold  :  and  as  many  of  the  leaves  as  the 
said  Smith  has  translated,  we  did  handle  with  our  hands  ;  and  we 
also  saw  the  engravings  thereon,  all  of  which  has  the  appearance 
of  ancient  work,  and  of  curious  workmanship.  And  this  we 
bear  record  with  words  of  soberness,  that  the  said  Smith  has 
shewn  unto  us,  for  we  have  seen  and  hefted,  and  know  of  a  surety 
that  the  said  Smith  has  got  the  jjlates  of  which  we  have  spoken. 
And  we  give  our  names  unto  the  world,  to  witness  unto  the  world 
that  which  we  have  seen;  and  we  lie  not,God  bearing  witness  of  it." 

'•Christian  Whitmer,  Jacob  Whitmer, 

Peter  Whitmer,  Jun.,  John  Whitmer, 

Hiram  Page,  Joseph  Smith,  Sen., 

Hyrum  Smith,  Samuel  H.  Smith." 

15.  Q.  Were  the  engravings  on  all  the  plates  transla- 
ted. 

A.  No.  Some  of  the  plates  were  sealed,  and  were 
not  to  be  translated  at  that  time.  After  the  translation  of 
the  unsealed  plates  was  completed,  both  those  which  were 
sealed  and  those  which  were  unsealed  were  returned^  to  the 
care  of  the  angel. 


72 

16.  Q.     How  many  races  of  people  does  the  Book  of 
Mormon  give  an  account  of? 

A.  Two — the  Jaredites,  who  went  from  the  tower 
of  Babel ;  and  two  colonies  which  left  Jerusalem  about 
2400  years  ago,  or  about  600  years  before  the  birth  of 
Christ.  The  history  of  all  these  people  was  engraved  on 
the  plates,  and  hid  in  the  earth  about  1400  years  ago. 
The  North  American  Indians  are  the  descendants  of  those 
who  went  from  Jerusalem. 

17.  Q.     Did    Joseph  Smith  receive  power  to  organize 
and  build  up  the  Church  of  Christ  ? 

A.  Yes.  On  the  15th  of  May,  1829,  Joseph  Smith 
and  Oliver  Cowdery  went  into  the  woods  to  pray,  and 
while  praying,  a  heavenly  messenger,  John  the  Baptist, 
the  forerunner  of  Jesus,  descended  in  a  bright  light,  laid 
his  hands  upon  their  heads,  ordained  them  to  the  Aaronic 
priesthood,  and  commanded  them  to  baptize  and  reordain 
each  other.  This  they  did,  Joseph  Smith  baptizing  Oliver 
Cowdery,  and  he  baptizing  Joseph,  and  and  then  Joseph 
re-ordaining  Oliver,  and  he  re-ordaining  Joseph. 

18.  Q.  Did   Joseph    Smith    receive    the    Melchisedek 
Priesthood  ? 

A.  Yes,  after  he  had  received  the  Aaronic  Priest- 
hood, he  was  ordained  to  the  Melchisedek  Priesthood,  un- 
der the  hands  of  Peter,  James,  and  John,  Apostles  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  who  held  the  keys  of  the  priesthood. 

19.  Q.     Where  and  when  was  the  Church  of  Christ  or- 
ganized by  Joseph  Smith. 

A.  It  was  organized  at  Fayette,  Seneca  County, 
New  York,  on  the  6th  of  April,  1830,  and  consisted  of  six 
members. 

20.  Q     Did  the  Church  rapidly  increase  ? 

A.  Yes,  many  people  believed  the  Gospel,  and 
entered  the  Church,  and  the  gifts  of  the  Spirit  were  enjoyed 
by  the  Saints.  In  1831,  a  settlement  was  formed  in  Geauga, 
now  Lake  County,  Ohio,  and  another  in  Jackson  County, 
Missouri.  On  the  3d  of  August,  in  the  same  year,  the  spot 
for  a  Temple  was  dedicated  at  Independence,  Jackson 
County,  Missouri,  and  in  1833,  the  Saints  were  driven 
from  that  place  into  neighboring  counties. 

21.  Q.     How  did  the  Saints  get  on  in  those  neighboring 
counties  and  also  in  Ohio  ? 

A.     They  were  much  persecuted,  and  finally  they 


73 

had  to  leave  Ohio  iu  1838  ;  and  in  the  winter  of  that  year 
and  1839,  they  were  driven  by  cruel  mobs,  from  Missouri. 
They  then  settled  on  the  Mississippi  river,  and  built  up  a 
beautiful  city  which  they  called  Nauvoo. 

22.  Q,.     Have  the  Saints  built  any  temple  to  the  Lord? 
A.     Yes,  two — One  at  Kirtland,  Ohio,  at  the  dedica- 
tion of  which,  in  1836,  the  power  and  glory  of  God  were 
displayed  in   a  remarkable  manner ;  another  at  Nauvoo, 
which  was  dedicated  in  May,  1846. 

23  §.  AVhat  particular  event  happened  to  the  Church 
in  1844? 

A.  The  murder  of  Joseph  and  Hyrum  Smith,  in 
Carthage  jail,  June  27,  by  an  armed  mob,  with  their  faces 
blackened.  But  the  murderers  were  never  brought  to 
justice. 

24.  Q.  Was  Joseph  Smith  ever  condemned  by  the  laws 
of  the  land? 

A.  Never,  although  his  enemies  embroiled  him  in 
about  fifty  lawsuits. 

25.  §.  After  Joseph  Smith's  death,  on  whom  fell  the 
responsibility  of  directing  the  afiairs  of  the  Church  ? 

A.  On  the  Quorum  of  the  Twelve  Apostles,  with 
Brigham  Young  as  their  President. 

26.  Q.  Did  Joseph  Smith,  before  his  death,  bestow  all 
the  keys  and  powers  of  the  Holy  Priesthood  upon  the 
Twelve  Apostles  ? 

A.  Yes,  every  key  that  was  necessary  to  save  and 
exalt  mankind  in  the  celestial  kingdom  of  God.  Millen- 
nial Star,  vol.  X.,  page  115. 

Repeat  the  passage. 

"There  is  not  one  key  or  power  to  be  bestowed  on  this  Church* 
to  lead  the  people  into  the  celestial  gate,  but  I  have  given  youi 
showed  you,  and  talked  it  over  to  you;  the  kingdom  is  set  up> 
and  you  have  the  perfect  pattern,  and  you  can  go  and  build  up 
the  kingdom,  and  go  in  at  the  celestial  gate,  taking  your  train 
with  you." 

27.  §.     How  long  did  the  Saints  stay  at  Nauvoo  ? 

A.  Until  the  year  1846,  when  they  were  compelled 
to  leave  that  place,  and  go  into  the  wilderness,  to  seek 
another  home.  In  July,  1847,  they  made  a  settlement  in 
Great  Salt  Lake  Valley,  where,  on  the  6th  of  April,  1853, 
they  laid  the  corner  stones  of  another  temple.  There  and 
in  the  surrounding  valleys  the  Saints  have  continued  to 
this  time  to  live  in  happiness  and  prosperity. 


74 

2^.  Q.  Where  snd  when  were  President  Brigham 
Young  and  his  two  Counselors,  Heber  C.  Kimball  and 
Willard  Richards,  publicly  recognized  as  the  First  Presi- 
dency of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints  ? 
J..  At  a  General  Conference  held  at  Council  Bluffs, 
Pottawatamie  County,  Iowa,  on  the  24th  of  December, 
1847. 

29.  Q.  Has  the  Gospel  been  preached  very  extensively 
already  ? 

A.  It  has  been  preached  in  the  principal  nations  of 
the  earth,  and  it  will  speedily  go  forth  and  be  proclaimed 
to  every  nation,  and  kindred,  and  tribe,  and  people,  that 
all  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  may  repent  of  their  sins, 
escape  the  judgments  which  God  is  about  to  pour  out  upon 
the  wicked,  and  be  prepared  to  stand  when  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  shall  be  revealed  from  the  heavens  in  flaming  fire, 
to  take  vengeance  upon  the  disobedient,  reward  the  obedi- 
ent, and  reign  in  peace  and  righteousness  upon  the  earth. 

30.  Q.     Will  the  Lord  inflict  great  judgments  upon  the 
wicked  ? 

A.  He  will  visit  them  with  war  and  famine,  plague 
and  pestilence,  until  they  are  utterly  wasted. 

31.  Q.     How  will  the  righteous  be  engaged  during  the 
time  the  wicked  are  thus  punished  ? 

A.  Those  who  obey  the  Gospel  will  gather  together 
on  the  continent  of  America,  and  build  up  the  New  Jer- 
usalem, and  other  cities,  and  also  many  temples  to  the 
Lord,  and  become  a  holy,  prosperous  and  mighty  people, 
and  will  be  called  the  Zion  of  the  Lord,  and  he  will 
reveal  his  knowledge  and  power  and  glory  among  them, 
to  the  astonishment  of  the  nations. 

32.  Q.     Where  will  the  New  Jerusalem  be  commenced? 
A.     In  Jackson  County,  Missouri,  where  a  temple, 

the  site  of  which  was  dedicated  in  1831,  will  be  eventually 
built. 

33.  Q.     W^hy  will  so  many  temples  be  erected  ? 

A.  Because  in  them  the  Saints  will  be  baptized  for 
those  persons  who  have  died  without  a  knowledge  of  the 
Gospel,  and  will  attend  to  all  the  ordinances  of  salvation 
and  exaltation  for  themselves  and  their  dead  friends. 


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